Coronavirus (COVID-19)

ABOUT CORONAVIRUS 2019 FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION


Provided by the 
World Health Organization in 2020

  • The virus originated from Wuhan province in China.
  • Patients had pneumonia-like symptoms and their common link was the live animal market.
  • It's shaped like a crown and is the cause of the common cold, SARS-COV 2003, MERS 2012, and SARS COVID 2019.
  • Transmission is in the form of respiratory droplets.
  • The average is 5-6 days for transmission to symptoms but can be seen in as little as 1-day or as long as 14.
  • Symptoms are fever, fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath.
  • 80% of people recuperate; 20% have more adverse reactions based on other health factors such as cancer and diabetes.
  • Prevention is hand-washing, maintaining social distance and using a mask.

STRUCTURE OF A CORONAVIRUS

The coronavirus particles are organized with long RNA polymers tightly packed into the center of the particle, and surrounded by a protective capsid, which is a lattice of repeated protein molecules referred to as coat or capsid proteins. In coronavirus, these proteins are called nucleocapsid (N). 

The coronavirus core particle is further surrounded by an outer membrane envelope made of lipids (fats) with proteins inserted. These membranes derive from the cells in which the virus was last assembled but are modified to contain specific viral proteins, including the spike (S), membrane (M), and envelope (E) proteins.

COVID-19 VIRUS UNDER AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

Transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated form a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab.

The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like, NIAID-RML.

HOMEOSTASIS & VIRUSES

ARE VIRUSES ALIVE?


Provided by Anthony Carboni
of D News

  • In 1946 they were proven not to metabolize and are not in a cell of their own, but are only a chain of RNA. They live in a parasitic existence with their host.
  • Viruses need a host cell to replicate and remain alive.
  • Tufts explored a cholera bacteria with a bacterial phage and discovered that the virus could absorb qualities of the host and then subsequent viruses would also have the immune quality of the cell.
  • This would suggest viruses are at least adapting to their surroundings and recreating themselves for survival.
  • Mutation is a form of adaptation developed to maintain life, but also allows an organism to regain homeostasis.

COMPANION VIDEOS ON HEALTHY PRACTICES

SUPPLEMENTAL WORKSHEETS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CORONAVIRUS

  • Viruses | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/4.html
  • Viruses Questions | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/5.html
  • Viruses Answers | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/6.html
  • Are Viruses Alive? | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/28.html
  • Are Viruses Alive? Questions | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/29.html
  • Are Viruses Alive? Answers | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/30.html
  • Viruses - Biology and Structure | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/2.html
  • Viruses - Biology and Structure Answers | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/3.html
  • Viruses: Size, Shape and Reproduction | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/7.html
  • Viruses: Size, Shape and Reproduction Questions | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/8.html
  • Viruses: Size, Shape and Reproduction Answers | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/15.html
  • Contagion  | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/22.html
  • Contagion Questions | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/23.html
  • Contagion  Answers | https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/pages/pdf/science/answer/twopages/bacteria/1/24.html

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