1. Show diagrams of the entry, replication, and release of DNA and RNA viruses in host cells.
2. Discuss the possible origins of viruses, with emphasis on the fact that bacterial, plant, and animal viruses have genes that are more like the genes of their host cells than like other kinds of viruses. One possibility is that the viruses represent parts of the host cell genome that became semi-independent. Would this work for RNA viruses?
3. Examine the products that a provirus (integrated virus) makes that cause human diseases when the human is infected by a lysogenic bacterium, such as diphtheria toxin or the factor in Streptococcus that produces scarlet fever or rheumatic fever.
4. Discuss the reproductive pathway for the AIDS virus, pointing out the areas in its replication that might be attacked by antiviral drugs.
5. Describe why the production of endospores is important
in the survival of some forms of bacteria.