With the Constructing Model Viruses Activity Kit for biology and life science, explore the biological niche of viruses by building models and investigating their biochemical make-up.
Despite their role in common infections, viruses appear to be alien life forms, with cage-like, helical and spaceship-like shapes. Explore the biological niche of viruses by building model viruses and investigating their biochemical make-up. Students construct two virus models using sturdy cardstock, one from each of the two main viral types, and relate the shape, structure and genome composition of viruses to their function. Using the information provided in the activity, they calculate the length of RNA or DNA in each virus and scale the genome proportionally to the size of the model. Inserting the model genome into the virus model completes the model and shows how simple, yet complex, a virus is.
Complete for 30 students to make both types of viruses.
Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Science & Engineering Practices
Developing and using models Using mathematics and computational thinking Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Disciplinary Core Ideas
HS-LS1.A: Structure and Function HS-LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems HS-LS4.B: Natural Selection
Crosscutting Concepts
Scale, proportion, and quantity Systems and system models Structure and function
Performance Expectations
MS-LS1-1. Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells