At the completion of the unit, students will have a solid understanding of the life cycle and reproduction (replication) of viruses. Students will also use their research skills on the web to learn more about viruses. Prior to this lesson, students have been exposed to microscopic organisms by studying bacteria in the Kingdom Monera (see Bacteria's Most Wanted) Following this lesson, students will solidify their learning with regard to viruses by demonstrating their understanding in a creative manner (Viva Las Virus pts 2 & 3)

THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF ORGANISMS The atoms and molecules on the earth cycle among the living and nonliving components of the biosphere. Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, from photosynthetic organisms to herbivores to carnivores and decomposers. Organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. The interrelationships and interdependencies of these organisms may generate ecosystems that are stable for hundreds or thousands of years. Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of infinite size, but environments and resources are finite. This fundamental tension has profound effects on the interactions between organisms. Human beings live within the world's ecosystems. Increasingly, humans modify ecosystems as a result of population growth, technology, and consumption. Human destruction of habitats through direct harvesting, pollution, atmospheric changes, and other factors is threatening current global stability, and if not addressed, ecosystems will be irreversibly affected.

Students should have basic computer and internet research skills. Reading and limited typing are also necessary

In this lesson, students will be using a web site (listed below) to learn about viruses. You, as the teacher, can create guiding questions for your students to answer while learning about viruses to ensure that students are gleaning the information that you deem important. Students will need this information to complete parts 2 & 3 of this unit.

Completion of the unit as a whole is the assessment I have used in the past (see parts 2 & 3). Completion of the guiding questions related to the web site may also be used for assessment of this lesson if desired.

In this portion of the unit, students will be learning about virus on the web site listed below.

Computers with Internet Access Printer to print article (optional)