AP Biology Virus Project DUE: ______________________________

You are going to create a PowerPoint and corresponding model about a virus of your choosing. You must

clear your virus with your instructor before proceeding. The following information will be needed:

Virus PowerPoint (25 POINTS)

• Classification of virus (scientific name and family/group of viruses to which it belongs)

• How the virus is transmitted (groups of organisms it infects; body system(s) it infects)

• The molecular mechanisms of infection (How does that virus get into the specific targeted system

AND cells of the organism. What vector does it use to get from host to host?)

• Disease(s) caused (name(s) of disease(s) it causes)

• Symptom(s) of infection

• Treatment(s) of infection

• Epidemiology (Is it a common virus? What treatments, cures or preventatives are available to stop

infection by this virus?)

• Bibliography (MLA Format)

• Presentation: content is organized and easy to understand, presenter is knowledgeable with the

content, presenter is engaging and connects with audience (eye contact), presentation is

appropriately paced

Virus Model (15 POINTS)

Use viral pictures from your textbook or from a website to construct a 3-dimensional model of a virus. Do

not just print out a premade model! Your model must meet the following criteria:

• Must be 3-dimensional

• Must show the two main parts of the virus --- nucleic acid core & protein coat or capsid

• Model must have string attached & be ready to hang

• Must include a label with your the name of the virus, your name, & class period

The following rules for constructing you model must also be followed:

• Must be light enough & small enough to hang and not "bump" other students heads

• Must be sturdy (use plenty of glue & securely attach your string)

• Can't be made out of food products

• May not have sharp points (no toothpicks)

• May not be made of anything flammable (no matches)

• Should be made of inexpensive materials

Some websites on virus structure that may help you are:

• Molecular Expressions: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/virus.html

• Microbiology & Immunology: http://www-micro.msb.le.ac.uk/109/structure.html

• Principles of Virus Architecture: http://web.uct.ac.za/depts/mmi/stannard/virarch.html

• Virus Structure: http://www.tulane.edu/~dmsander/WWW/224/Structure224.html

• Picture Book of Viruses: http://www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVFamilyGenome.html

• Biological Diversity: http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookDiversity_1.html

Possible Viruses to choose from (or refer to the diagram below):

• Human Papilloma Virus

• Herpes Simplex Virus

• Dengue

• Rabies Virus

• Hepatitis B

• SARS

• Epstein Barr Virus

• West Nile Virus

• Ebola Virus

• Variola Virus

• Varicella Virus

• Influenza A Virus

• Tobacco Mosaic Virus

• Smallpox Virus

• Parvovirus

• Adenovirus - a family of cold viruses

• H1N1 (Swine) Flu

• T4 Bacteriophage

• H5N1 (Avian) Flu

• Polio virus

• Marburg virus

• Rotavirus