Understanding Viruses
A worksheet for 6th graders to learn about the basic structure, function, and impact of viruses on living organisms.
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Understanding Viruses
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living things, and therefore, why viruses are often not considered truly 'alive'?
They can reproduce on their own.
They are made of cells.
They grow and develop.
They respond to their environment.
2. What is the main function of the protein coat (capsid) of a virus?
To help the virus move around.
To protect the genetic material.
To produce energy for the virus.
To help the virus digest food.
3. Viruses are much smaller than and can only be seen with a powerful .
4. A virus needs a to reproduce, meaning it cannot make copies of itself without infecting another living cell.
5. Describe the basic structure of a virus. What two main parts does every virus have?
6. All viruses are harmful to humans.
True
False
7. Viruses can be treated with antibiotics.
True
False
8. Label the parts of the bacteriophage virus diagram below:
A:
B:
C:
Use the words below to complete the sentences.
9. The inner core of a virus contains its .
10. The protein coat surrounding a virus is called the .
11. A virus needs a to reproduce.
12. can help prevent viral infections.