Name: Aashka Prajapati Date: 2020-11-27
Student Exploration: Virus Lytic Cycle
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: bacteriophage, capsid, host cell, lyse, lytic cycle, virus
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. A computer virus is a program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission of the
owner. How do you think a computer virus compares to a real virus?
similar to a computer virus, a real virus also copies the genetic information and corrupts it and sends it
to other cells to corrupt those cells as well.
2. Have you ever been infected with a virus, yes, a cold virus
such as the cold virus or flu virus?
3. If so, how did the virus affect you? sore throat, weakness, runny nose.
Gizmo Warm-up
A virus is a microscopic particle that can infect a cell. Viruses are
primarily composed of a protein coat, called a capsid, and nucleic
acid. In the Virus Lytic Cycle Gizmo™, you will learn how a virus
infects a cell and uses the cell to produce more viruses.
1. Viruses are extremely small. A typical virus is about 100 times
smaller than a single cell, such as a bacterium. Label the virus
and a bacterial cell in the image at right.
2. Bacteriophages are viruses
that infect bacteria. Based on the
diagram at left, label the head,
tail, tail fibers, and the strand of
nucleic acid in the image at right.
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
, Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Lytic cycle ● If necessary, click Reset ( ).
Introduction: Unlike living organisms, viruses cannot reproduce on their own. Instead, viruses infect host
cells, taking over the cell’s machinery to produce more viruses. This process is called the lytic cycle.
Question: What are the steps of the lytic cycle?
1. 75.Observe: Use the navigation arrows on the DESCRIPTION tab to read about the stages of the lytic
cycle. Using your own words, summarize each step of the cycle.
Step Summary
a lytic bacteriophage virus attaches itself to the bacterial cell. virus is a
1 simple structure that is composed of a protein capsid, nucleic acid (DNA
or RNA) and a tail section
↓
The virus injects its nucleic acid into the bacterial cell. The nucleic acid
2 uses the cell’s ribosomes to make virus proteins. The proteins break up
the cell’s DNA.
↓
the virus capsid and tail detaches from the cell and disintegrates. the
3 viral nucleic acid takes over and directs the production of new virus
proteins and nucleic acid.
↓
The virus proteins and virus nucleic acid combine together into new
4
viruses.
↓
special proteins produced by the viral nucleic acid cause the host
5 bacterial cell enter the lytic cycle, which destroys the cell in the process.
The numerous new viruses can infect other cells
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
Student Exploration: Virus Lytic Cycle
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: bacteriophage, capsid, host cell, lyse, lytic cycle, virus
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. A computer virus is a program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission of the
owner. How do you think a computer virus compares to a real virus?
similar to a computer virus, a real virus also copies the genetic information and corrupts it and sends it
to other cells to corrupt those cells as well.
2. Have you ever been infected with a virus, yes, a cold virus
such as the cold virus or flu virus?
3. If so, how did the virus affect you? sore throat, weakness, runny nose.
Gizmo Warm-up
A virus is a microscopic particle that can infect a cell. Viruses are
primarily composed of a protein coat, called a capsid, and nucleic
acid. In the Virus Lytic Cycle Gizmo™, you will learn how a virus
infects a cell and uses the cell to produce more viruses.
1. Viruses are extremely small. A typical virus is about 100 times
smaller than a single cell, such as a bacterium. Label the virus
and a bacterial cell in the image at right.
2. Bacteriophages are viruses
that infect bacteria. Based on the
diagram at left, label the head,
tail, tail fibers, and the strand of
nucleic acid in the image at right.
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
, Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Lytic cycle ● If necessary, click Reset ( ).
Introduction: Unlike living organisms, viruses cannot reproduce on their own. Instead, viruses infect host
cells, taking over the cell’s machinery to produce more viruses. This process is called the lytic cycle.
Question: What are the steps of the lytic cycle?
1. 75.Observe: Use the navigation arrows on the DESCRIPTION tab to read about the stages of the lytic
cycle. Using your own words, summarize each step of the cycle.
Step Summary
a lytic bacteriophage virus attaches itself to the bacterial cell. virus is a
1 simple structure that is composed of a protein capsid, nucleic acid (DNA
or RNA) and a tail section
↓
The virus injects its nucleic acid into the bacterial cell. The nucleic acid
2 uses the cell’s ribosomes to make virus proteins. The proteins break up
the cell’s DNA.
↓
the virus capsid and tail detaches from the cell and disintegrates. the
3 viral nucleic acid takes over and directs the production of new virus
proteins and nucleic acid.
↓
The virus proteins and virus nucleic acid combine together into new
4
viruses.
↓
special proteins produced by the viral nucleic acid cause the host
5 bacterial cell enter the lytic cycle, which destroys the cell in the process.
The numerous new viruses can infect other cells
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
