This activity could be used as a summary activity in a unit on viruses or as an activity within an evolution unit. Viruses are submicroscopic, obligate, intracellular parasites. The debate rages concerning this question. Thus, Aristotelian philosophy suggests that viruses do live. Viruses require living cells for replication or reproduction.
Many viruses require a specific cell type to act as a host.
Once the virus locates its cell host, it attaches or adsorbs to that cell. It must then enter the cell host. Methods of entry into cells differ in plant cells, animal cells, and bacterial cells. Copies of nucleic acids and protein capsids are produced and assembled into new virus particles called virions. These virions seek out new hosts and attempt to repeat the cycle.