Using your textbook and the resources listed below, answer the following questions regarding COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2.
Centers for Disease Control: COVID-19
World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease pandemic
In addition to the links provided(I provided links at bottom of paper details), include at least two additional sources, one of which must be peer-reviewed, to write a paper that addresses the questions.
Your paper should be formatted in APA style and should include an introduction, conclusion, and a references section.
SARS-CoV-2 Identification
1.Early in the pandemic, researchers suspected that COVID-19 was caused by a virus. What are some ways that they could confirm that a virus, and not bacteria, was responsible for this disease?
2.What type of microscopy would be needed to view SARS-CoV-2? Why? What cell type or organelle would be of an equivalent size to this virus?
3.Based on the Baltimore classification of viruses, which groups would SARS-CoV-2 fall within? What type of genetic material does it contain? Are there any related viruses that cause disease in humans?
SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Genetics
4.Based on your response to question three, draw the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2.
5.How could SARS-CoV-2 be cultivated? What biological materials would be needed?
6.If viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are unable to metabolize organic molecules, where do they get the energy to undergo replication?
7.As discussed above, SARS-CoV-2 has an RNA genome. Discuss three differences between RNA and DNA.
8.During the course of the pandemic, several variants of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus have become dominant strains circulating through human populations. Discuss the steps that are involved with the formation of a variant and its increase in prevalence.
