Lesson+7.1

7.1 (p.122-124) and Avian Flu p. 125
 * 1) Why are viruses not exactly living or nonliving? Viruses are potentially living creatures, but they cannot live independently. If a virus is not living inside of a host, the virus is purely a chemical. Inside the host, the virus can live and duplicate and grow.
 * 2) Give some examples of diseases caused by viruses. Some diseases caused by viruses include: colds, flu, measles, chicken pox, polio, rabies, AIDS, genital wards, and genital herpes.
 * 3) What is the basic structure of a virus? (The two parts and their function) Viruses are made up by two major components, the protein filled outer capsid, and the inner core filled with nucleic acid.
 * 4) Why are viruses like microscopic pirates? Viruses inhabit the body and command the body of its host just like pirates command the crew of a different stolen ship.
 * 5) Why are viruses considered parasites? Viruses are parasites because they completely depend upon and take away from the host's materials for reproduction and livelihood.
 * 6) Why are viruses considered OBLIGATE parasites? they are acellular and dependent upon the host.
 * 7) **Why do viruses ALWAYS cause disease?**
 * 8) **How do viruses "emerge" and "spread" each year? Give examples.**
 * 9) What is a virus vector? Give examples, A virus vector is usually an insect (mosquito carries West Nile) that can contain the viral but not be affected by the virus. However it can come in contact with another living being therefore infecting the host.
 * 10) What is the relationship of bird flu to birds? The bird flu is an avian type of influenza that can be passed from birds to humans. There is an extra strain of DNA in this cell that makes humans fatally ill.
 * 11) How does bird flu infect humans? This bird flu jumps the species barrier when humans are in close contact with saliva, or feces.
 * 12) What is a pandemic? An outbreak of quickly spreading influenza is hard to stop especially in crowded communities.
 * 13) Why is there fear that bird flu could cause a pandemic? Because it is an avian flu it can be easily carried to the entire world. Then it would be a global epidemic and could effect all humans on earth.
 * 14) What action can we take to prevent a bird flu pandemic? We can quarantine birds that are infected as well as making sure contamination does not cross any countries' borders.