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As level BIOLOGY CLASS

Session-2020-2021
Grade As
Conducted By Syfun Nahar Afroza
Head of Biology Department.
Covid 19
Pandemic 2020
What is a virus?
 Viruses are microscopic parasites, generally much smaller than bacteria. They lack the
capacity to thrive and reproduce outside of a host body. 
 Predominantly, viruses have a reputation for being the cause of contagion. Widespread
events of disease and death have no doubt bolstered such a reputation. The 2014
outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, and the 2009 H1N1/swine flu pandemic (a widespread
global outbreak) likely come to mind. While such viruses certainly are wily foes for
scientists and medical professionals, others of their ilk have been instrumental as
research tools; furthering the understanding of basic cellular processes such as the
mechanics of protein synthesis, and of viruses themselves. 
How do they spread?

 Viruses spread from person to person mainly through the tiny

droplets that are produced when a person carrying the virus coughs
or sneezes. Those droplets, whether we can see them or not, may fly
and land on a surface. Some may land directly on the mouth, nose or
eye of another person while others may land on a hard surface like a
phone, doorknob or countertop. How long those particles survive on
the surface varies depending on both the surface and the viral
strand. For some viruses it is only a few hours; for others it can be as
much as nine days. If a healthy person touches one of those surfaces
and then touches their nose, mouth or eyes before washing their
hands, they have transmitted the virus to themselves. If that person
now carrying the virus coughs or sneezes and doesn’t disinfect the
area, the virus can be transmitted again, and the cycle continues.
 However, if a virus particle has been brought into your
body, it doesn’t guarantee you will get sick. The lungs
 have cells and mucus lining them that help to trap or get
rid of bacteria, particles and viruses. If the virus manages
to get past the lungs’ security systems, the protein in the
virus must find the perfect cell to bind to, one with the
right protein to receive it. The location of the needed
receptor plays a major role in whether the host will get
sick
How do viruses replicate inside a human body?

 Attachment
 A virus attaches to a specific receptor site on the host cell membrane through
attachment proteins in the capsid or via glycoproteins embedded in the viral envelope.
The specificity of this interaction determines the host (and the cells within the host)
that can be infected by a particular virus. This can be illustrated by thinking of several
keys and several locks where each key will fit only one specific lock.
 Entry
 The nucleic acid of bacteriophages enters the host cell naked, leaving the capsid
outside the cell. Plant and animal viruses can enter through endocytosis, in which the
cell membrane surrounds and engulfs the entire virus. Some enveloped viruses enter
the cell when the viral envelope fuses directly with the cell membrane. Once inside the
cell, the viral capsid is degraded and the viral nucleic acid is released, which then
becomes available for replication and transcription.
 Replication and Assembly
 The replication mechanism depends on the viral genome. DNA
viruses usually use host cell proteins and enzymes to make
additional DNA that is transcribed to messenger RNA (mRNA), which
is then used to direct protein synthesis. RNA viruses usually use the
RNA core as a template for synthesis of viral genomic RNA and
mRNA. The viral mRNA directs the host cell to synthesize viral
enzymes and capsid proteins, and to assemble new virions. Of
course, there are exceptions to this pattern. If a host cell does not
provide the enzymes necessary for viral replication, viral genes
supply the information to direct synthesis of the missing proteins.
Retroviruses, such as HIV, have an RNA genome that must be reverse
transcribed into DNA, which then is incorporated into the host cell
genome.
 To convert RNA into DNA, retroviruses must contain genes that encode
the virus-specific enzyme reverse transcriptase, which transcribes an
RNA template to DNA. Reverse transcription never occurs in uninfected
host cells; the needed enzyme, reverse transcriptase, is only derived
from the expression of viral genes within the infected host cells. The
fact that HIV produces some of its own enzymes not found in the host
has allowed researchers to develop drugs that inhibit these enzymes.
These drugs, including the reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT, inhibit
HIV replication by reducing the activity of the enzyme without
affecting the host’s metabolism. This approach has led to the
development of a variety of drugs used to treat HIV and has been
effective at reducing the number of infectious virions (copies of viral
RNA) in the blood to non-detectable levels in many HIV-infected
individuals.
 The last stage of viral replication is the release of the new virions
produced in the host organism. They are then able to infect adjacent
cells and repeat the replication cycle. As you have learned, some
viruses are released when the host cell dies, while other viruses can
leave infected cells by budding through the membrane without
directly killing the cell.
The Corona Virus
 COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China in
December 2019.
 COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath or
difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, sore throat, new loss of taste or
smell, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting and congestion or runny
nose. COVID-19 can be severe, and some cases have caused death.
 The new coronavirus can be spread from person to person. It is diagnosed with a
laboratory test.
 There is no coronavirus vaccine yet. Prevention involves frequent hand-washing,
coughing into the bend of your elbow, staying home when you are sick and
wearing a cloth face covering if you can't practice physical distancing.
How does the new coronavirus spread?

 As of now, researchers know that the new coronavirus is spread

through droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs
or sneezes. The droplets generally do not travel more than a few
feet, and they fall to the ground (or onto surfaces) in a few seconds —
this is why physical distancing is effective in preventing the spread.
 COVID-19 appeared in Wuhan, a city in China, in December 2019.
Although health officials are still tracing the exact source of this new
coronavirus, early hypotheses thought it may be linked to a seafood
market in Wuhan, China. Some people who visited the market
developed viral pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. A study
that came out on Jan. 25, 2020, notes that the individual with the
first reported case became ill on Dec. 1, 2019, and had no link to the
seafood market. Investigations are ongoing as to how this virus
originated and spread. 
What are symptoms of COVID-19?

 COVID-19 symptoms include:

 Cough
 Fever or chills
 Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
 Muscle or body aches
 Sore throat
 New loss of taste or smell
 Diarrhea
 Headache
 Fatigue
 Nausea or vomiting
 Congestion or runny nose
 In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.
 If you have a fever or any kind of respiratory difficulty such as coughing or shortness of breath, call your doctor or a
health care provider and explain your symptoms over the phone before going to the doctor’s office, urgent care
facility or emergency room. Here are suggestions if you feel sick and are concerned you might have COVID-19.
 If you have a medical emergency such as severe shortness of breath, call 911 and let them know about your
symptoms.
How do you protect yourself from this coronavirus?
 Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash
them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using
alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
 Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others. Why?
When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from
their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe
in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person has the disease.
 Avoid going to crowded places. Why? Where people come together in crowds, you
are more likely to come into close contact with someone that has COVID-19 and it
is more difficult to maintain physical distance of 1 metre (3 feet).
 Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can
pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose
or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.
 .
 Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This
means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough
or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands. Why?
Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people
around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
 Stay home and self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache,
mild fever, until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave
your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others. Why? Avoiding contact with
others will protect them from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
 If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call
by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health
authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date
information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health
care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect
you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
 Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or
your local and national health authorities. Why? Local and national authorities are
best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect
themselves
Safe use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers
 To protect yourself and others against COVID-19, clean your hands frequently and
thoroughly. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash your hands with soap and water. If
you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, make sure you use and store it carefully.
 Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers out of children’s reach. Teach them how to apply the sanitizer
and monitor its use.
 Apply a coin-sized amount on your hands. There is no need to use a large amount of the product.
 Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose immediately after using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer,
as it can cause irritation.
 Hand sanitizers recommended to protect against COVID-19 are alcohol-based and therefore can
be flammable. Do not use before handling fire or cooking.
 Under no circumstance, drink or let children swallow an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It can be
poisonous. 
 Remember that washing your hands with soap and water is also effective against COVID-19.
STAY HOME STAY SAFE