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:
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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:
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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):
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Human Papilloma Virus
Herpes Simplex Virus
Dengue
Rabies Virus
Hepatitis B
SARS
Epstein Barr Virus
West Nile Virus
Ebola Virus
Variola Virus
Varicella Virus
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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