Workshop 6: VIRUSES AND FUNGI

Answer following questions on viruses:

1. Explain why viruses are classified as obligate intracellular parasites.

2. Describe five (5) characteristics that differentiate a virus from other

microorganisms.

3. What are the seven steps involved in virus reproduction.

4. Briefly explain the following two configurations of nucleic acids in viruses:

plus (+)
minus (-)

5. Discuss the lytic and lysogenic cycles of bacteriophage replication.

6. Briefly discuss the four consequence of virus infection in humans.

Case study:

Mariam is 8 years old and already knows what she wants to be when she grows up -
"a health minister can help others and wants everyone to be healthy," she says. "I have
good grades, I know I can make it". In February 2005, soon after she experienced
increased bleeding and bruising, Mariam was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic
leukemia (ALL) caused by virus, the most common type of cancer in childhood. She
has been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment since then – an almost
unbearable experience.

ALL affects immature lymphocytes (lymphoblasts) developing in the bone marrow

and fast cell proliferation results in crowding in the bone marrow, and interfering
with normal blood cell production.

1) Explain how viruses cause the cancer.

2) The ALL that caused by viruses is usually latent. What is a latent infection?

3) Based on your knowledge of Human Physiology, what symptoms do you expect to

see in ALL patients?

4) Explain if ALL can be prevented. Through what general ways?

Answer following questions on Fungi:

1. How to differentiate fungi from bacteria. Fungi are:

2. Describe the two main types of fungi. How they are different?

3. Explain how fungi reproduce.

4. What is the difference between fungal spores and bacterial endospores?

5. What is a mycosis? Describe superficial, cutaneous and subcutaneous and

systemic mycoses.