New News Biology #26

What Is a Virus?

Viruses = not alive submicroscopic infectious agents that are 10,000 times smaller than animal cells but can’t reproduce

They first invade animal cells, then use it as a factory for their own reproduction, and finally destroy the cell after it is no longer useful to the virus

All in all, a virus makes us feel ill

Different Diseases That Viruses Can Cause:

HIV/AIDS:

• spreads through sexual contact and exchange of bodily fluids

• has fever as one of its symptoms

Measles:

• spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes

• a red rash & fever develop

• can be fatal

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

• leafs develop a mosaic white pattern

• becoming unable to conduct photosynthesis, and eventually dies.