Viruses: Structure, Replication, and Impact
Explore the basic structure of viruses, their replication cycles, and their impact on living organisms with this Grade 8 science worksheet.
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Viruses: Structure, Replication, and Impact
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. Label the parts of the bacteriophage virus shown below:
A. (Head)
B. (Genetic Material)
C. (Tail Sheath)
D. (Tail Fibers)
2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of viruses?
They are obligate intracellular parasites.
They have their own cellular machinery for reproduction.
They contain genetic material (DNA or RNA).
Their genetic material is enclosed in a protein coat.
3. What is the main function of the capsid in a virus?
To produce energy for the virus.
To protect the genetic material.
To help the virus move.
To carry out photosynthesis.
4. Viruses are considered living organisms because they can reproduce independently.
True
False
5. A vaccine works by introducing a weakened or inactive form of a virus into the body to stimulate an immune response.
True
False
6. Viruses are obligate parasites, meaning they must infect a host cell to reproduce.
7. The common cold and flu are examples of diseases caused by .
8. The process by which a virus injects its genetic material into a host cell is called .
9. Briefly explain why viruses are not considered cells.
10. Describe the main difference between the lytic and lysogenic cycles of viral replication.