Lesson on Bacteria and Viruses

In the course of bacteria and viruses, students will understand the differences between bacteria and viruses and how their spread affects history. This course integrates mathematics, reading and social studies to enable students to achieve the objectives of the course. Mathematical integration includes drawing and analysis of data. The integration of reading and social research includes reading articles on key perspectives and research on how disease affects history. In addition to integrating other content areas into the science curriculum, it can adapt to different learning styles.

There are many differences between bacteria and viruses. For example, viruses are 10 to 100 times smaller than bacteria. Unlike viruses, viruses are often thought of as organic structures that interact with organisms to survive and proliferate. Although the virus has a protein coat but no cell wall or ribosome, bacteria have ribosomes and their rigid cell wall is made of peptidoglycan. Viral RNA and DNA are encapsulated in the outer shell of the protein, but in bacteria the genetic material is floating in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm consists of enzymes, nutrients, waste products and gas surrounded by cell walls and cell membranes.

The virus is small: the largest virus is smaller than the smallest bacteria. All of them are core of protein shell and genetic material, RNA or DNA. Unlike bacteria, viruses can not survive without a host. They can grow only by adhering to the cells. In most cases, they reprogram the cells to make a new virus until the cells rupture and die. In other cases, they turn normal cells into malignant or cancerous cells. The discovery of antibiotics against bacterial infections is considered one of the most important advances in medical history. Unfortunately, bacteria are highly adaptable and overuse of antibiotics has made many bacteria resistant to antibiotics. This causes serious problems, especially in hospital environments.