Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Viral DNA Integration
How do viruses hijack our cells to produce more viral particles? Junior immunologists model how viral RNA integrates into a host cell's DNA using pop beads and use interactive tools to explore a virus' genome. The teacher's guide...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Viral DNA Integration
How do reverse transcriptase inhibitors work? Young virologists examine the function of azidothymidine, a drug doctors use to treat HIV patients, during a hands-on modeling activity. Groups create a strand of DNA from an HIV RNA strand...
Virginia Department of Education
Viruses
Germs, parasites, and viruses, oh my! Facilitate a lesson on viruses as individuals explore functions of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. They learn how viruses compare with other organisms in nature and how they contribute to health...
Curated OER
DNA: The Genetic Material
The various experiments and processes that were completed in the 20th century to further our understanding of DNA are summarized here. There are wonderful slides to popularize the scientists who dedicated their professional life to...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Retroviruses and Viral Diversity
Eight percent of DNA comes from retroviruses. Learn what sets retroviruses apart from other types of viruses with an presentation that focuses on the differences between viruses with a DNA genome, an RNA genome, and retroviruses.
Curated OER
Gel Electrophoresis: Sort and See the DNA
In this DNA learning exercise, learners access a website to learn how DNA fragments are separated through the process of gel electrophoresis. Then students model the construction of DNA fingerprints and practice interpreting restriction...
Curated OER
DNA
this DNA Powerpoint describes replication, and communicates the concept that viral DNA can program cells.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
HIV Protease Inhibitors
How do doctors fight a virus that's constantly mutating? Show science scholars how we fight HIV using one of its own most fundamental processes through a thoughtful demonstration. The lesson focuses on how protease inhibitors prevent HIV...
Towson University
Chestnut Tree Lab
What will your class learn in a curious tale of a fungus, a virus, and a chestnut tree? Biology scholars discover the world of viral biocontrols through a DNA restriction lab. Groups research the decline of the American chestnut tree at...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Ebola: Disease Detectives
How did the Ebola virus first infect humans? Young virologists examine genetic sequences from the 2014 Sierra Leone outbreak to find similarities during a riveting activity. Following similar methods used by MIT and Harvard, partners...
Curated OER
Genetic Challenge Worksheet
In this genetics worksheet, students describe how to tell the difference between DNA, RNA, and proteins. Students also learn about the processes of transcription and translation. This worksheet has 3 short answer and 3 fill in the blank...
Curated OER
Viruses
For this viruses worksheet, learners will read the 5 steps of the lytic cycle and then label those steps on a diagram starting with the virus attaching to a cell and ending with the cell opening and releasing the replicated viruses.
Curated OER
Viruses and Host Evolution
Students are organized into groups of four. On Day 1 they are given a worksheet about viruses and their effects on the evolution of a rabbit population. After about 30 minutes of group work, a class discussion of the material begins. ...
Curated OER
Vaccines
Students explore and explain the role of vaccines in infectious disease, They emphasize immunological principles and viral/bacterial infection processes. Students explore the three main vaccine types: DNA vaccines ("gene gun"),...
Curated OER
Outbreak! Electrophoresis: Where the Bands Are
Students examine why pieces of DNA move at different rates and over different distances. In this DNA lesson students complete an activity.
Curated OER
Find the Index Case
Students investigate the tracking of viral diseases. They view experiments that compare the genome of the virus known to cause the disease from different areas. Students analyze how these scientists try to figure out the relationships...
Curated OER
Viruses
In this biology lesson, students complete a crossword puzzle with 35 questions about viruses. They identify the different types of viruses and the diseases they bring.
Curated OER
Transcription, Translation, and the Genetics of Microbes
Students construct various virus models using Fruit loops and Alphabits to represent nucleotides and molecules. They constructs capsomeres using shoes as the capsomeres and discuss various viruses.
Serendip
Using Molecular and Evolutionary Biology to Understand HIV/AIDS and Treatment
HIV mutates rapidly, making treatments challenging to find. Scholars learn about why it mutates so quickly and how scientists race to find treatments. The resource approaches the issue from both a molecular and evolutionary perspective...
Curated OER
Viruses
In this virus learning exercise, students answer questions about viruses, the parts of a virus and how viruses reproduce through the lytic and lysogenic cycle.
Curated OER
How Do Antiretroviral Drugs Work?
In this biology worksheet, students watch a series of videos and complete 10 short answer questions right after. They explain how ART drugs interrupt the life cycle of HIV.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Virus Explorer
Most pupils know about the flu, HIV, and other viruses, but they don't know what each actually looks like. This interactive shows their relative size, structure, and allows for comparisons. It stresses the similarities and differences...
Atkins
Attack of the Viruses!
Not all viruses are bad, but are all retroviruses groovy? The instructional activity starts with a detailed presentation before scholars create their own model of a virus. The resource incorporates many worksheets and practice questions...
Curated OER
Pharmaceutical Lesson Plan
Students are able to discuss and prepare a written summary of a scientific article about AIDS. They propose solutions to the opening activity of which drug is more effective in the fight against AIDS.