AHL Content Statements

• A2.3.1

  Structural features common to viruses

• 
  

  Relatively few features are shared by all viruses: small, fixed size; nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) as genetic material; a capsid made of protein; no cytoplasm; and few or no enzymes.

• A2.3.2

  Diversity of structure in viruses

• 
  

  Students should understand that viruses are highly diverse in their shape and structure. Genetic material may be RNA or DNA, which can be either single- or double-stranded. Some viruses are enveloped in host cell membrane and others are not enveloped. Virus examples include bacteriophage lambda, coronaviruses and HIV.

• A2.3.3

  Lytic cycle of a virus

• 
  

  Students should appreciate that viruses rely on a host cell for energy supply, nutrition, protein synthesis and other life functions. Use bacteriophage lambda as an example of the phases in a lytic cycle.
  

• A2.3.4

  Lysogenic cycle of a virus

• 
  

  Use bacteriophage lambda as an example.

• A2.3.5

  Evidence for several origins of viruses from other organisms

• 
  

  The diversity of viruses suggests several possible origins. Viruses share an extreme form of obligate parasitism as a mode of existence, so the structural features that they have in common could be regarded as convergent evolution. The genetic code is shared between viruses and living organisms.
  

• A2.3.6

  Rapid evolution in viruses

• 
  

  Include reasons for very rapid rates of evolution in some viruses. Use two examples of rapid evolution: evolution of influenza viruses and of HIV. Consider the consequences for treating diseases caused by rapidly evolving viruses.