Biology

=Viruses (Discovery Channel School Science: Universes Large and Small) =

By: Gareth Stevens Publishing (Author), Lynn Brunelle (Author) and Marc Gave (Author)
= = toc

**Standards**

 * **Subject** **:** Science ||
 * **Grade** **:** Nine Through Twelve ||
 * **Area** **:** Biology/Life Sciences ||
 * **Sub-Strand:** Cell Biology ||
 * **Concept 1: **The fundamental life processes of plants and animals depend on a variety of chemical reactions that occur in specialized areas of the organism’s cells. As a basis for understanding this concept: ||
 * **Standard a****:** Students know cells are enclosed within semipermeable membranes that regulate their interaction with their surroundings. ||
 * **Standard c****:** Students know how prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells (including those from plants and animals), and viruses differ in complexity and general structure. ||
 * **Standard d****:** Students know the central dogma of molecular biology outlines the flow of information from transcription of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the nucleus to translation of proteins on ribosomes in the cytoplasm. ||
 * **Standard e****:** Students know the role of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in the secretion of proteins. ||
 * **Standard j****:** Students know how eukaryotic cells are given shape and internal organization by a cytoskeleton or cell wall or both. ||

**Summary**
With an unparalleled array of science topics to choose from, Discovery Channel School Science puts the fascinating natural world at students' fingertips. Fun, fast paced, high interest-leveled text and vibrant photography in a bright and lively format bring to life the wonders of nature, as young scientists learn about the important historical figures, discoveries, and ideas that help researchers understand the past and keep science moving toward the future. Activities abound and insights await in Discovery Channel School Science.

The sections explicitly related to the standards listed above are expanded and built upon here, although it is important to note that every section of the book listed is filled with useful information relevant to other state adopted standards and disciplines.

-sections-

Take a look inside a virus structure and a human cell structure to find out what makes them work. The book offers a very simplified and easy to remember way of learning various structures and functions. Take a look at the following diagram. Compare what is seen in the book and what you see in this more detailed version of cells. A handout is provided to assess your own understanding of the material covered in this chapter and the book at large.
 * Viruses**



Above is an image of an animal cell.



Above is an image of a plant cell.

Above is an image of a bacteria.

Q&A: On the premise of immunity, a virus agrees to spill its guts about the inner workings of its 'vicious' organization.
 * Get a Life**

Viruses use people, but people use viruses too. Sometimes, under the right circumstances the results are positive.
 * Pox and the People**

---This section stands out in the book as it elaborates on the impacts of biological agents in history; specifically how 4 million native american deaths occurred as a result of Hernan Cortez bringing smallpox to the new world.

Which maladies are caused by viruses, and which ones are not? This is important importation to know so that effective treatment can be made.
 * Warts and All**

Learn why you should never close your nose and mouth when you sneeze – and duck when someone else does.
 * Ah-choo!**

Before the electron microscope and computer imaging, we had no way of seeing the legions of viruses all around us. Now we know that some viruses can even be beautiful.
 * Ready for your Close-up**

The flu epidemic of 1918, which started mysteriously on an army base in Kansas, grew into and out of control monster that killed 30 million people worldwide.
 * The deadliest month [in history]**

Before scientists could combat viruses, they needed to know what viruses were and what they could do.
 * Little things count**

Building on another doctor’s idea, Dr. Walter Reed linked yellow fever to a mosquito-born virus.
 * Just one bite**

The threat of polio hung over everyone's fun - until Jonas Salk developed a vaccine to fight the dreadful illness.
 * Cracking the Crippling Killer**

Viruses have the ability to mutate, remain inactive, and pop up when least expected. When they do, some people run right into the thick of things to fight the good fight. ---This section explores people from a variety of fields, including historians and mathematicians working together to fight viruses.
 * Ebola Fever**

Not everyone can discover the cure for a disease, but you can make many contributions to the struggles against illness.
 * Are Viruses in Your Future?**

Thanks to modern transportation, people are more mobile than ever; so are viruses. The spread of AIDS is a product of modern life.
 * It's a Small World**

---This section explores how advances in technology have essentially caused unprecedented advances in mutations and spreading of diseases. This has impacted our lives today greatly and will dramatically alter the history we'll leave for future generations.

Healthy Navajos are suddenly dropping dead of respiratory failure. Can you figure out what is going on?
 * A Southwest Plauge**

Viruses may be no laughing matter, but here are some sick jokes, plus an eye-opening look at viruses through history, including the curious case of smallpox and more.
 * That's Catchy!**

Useful Links
Here is a rather interesting video documenting the complexities of the structures and interactions present in cells, which the book __Viruses__ seeks to simplify for its readers. __Viruses__ offers a great introduction to extremely intricate processes and dilemmas of specificity.

media type="youtube" key="3jWV568GpkU" height="315" width="420"

Here is a spectacular interactive website where one can examine the cell closely in three dimensions. []

NCBI The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. This is an extremely useful and widely used resource in the field of biology.

BIOLOGY based video sharing website

DNA video

Parts of a cell



Citation
Viruses (Discovery Channel School Science: Universes Large and Small) By: Gareth Stevens Publishing (Author), Lynn Brunelle (Author) and Marc Gave (Author)