COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

This video we're going to talk briefly about the COVID-19 virus which is actually SARS CoV-2. And so in the year 2019, Chinese doctors reported cases of severe lung issues in patients that was caused by a novel coronavirus that is sometimes named the COVID-19 virus and causes the COVID-19 disease. Now the COVID-19 virus is also named SARS CoV-2 because its genome is similar to the SARS-CoV virus of the 2003 outbreak. And so shortly after these Chinese doctors reported the initial cases of the COVID-19 disease, cases were also reported across the entire world. And so the COVID-19 disease became a pandemic. And countries across the world started to require their citizens to quarantine at home in order to help prevent the spread of this virus. And so, the COVID-19 virus is an enveloped plus ssRNA virus, which means that it is basically an mRNA virus, a plus single-stranded RNA virus. And it is categorized by its spikes that are on its surface that are going to be important for viral attachment. And so the spikes on its surface actually have a crown-like appearance, and so it turns out that the corona in the coronavirus actually means crown. And so, you can see the crown is going to resemble somewhat the crown that you see on this SARS CoV-2 virus. And so you'll notice that the spike proteins that are sticking out somewhat make this appearance of a crown shape. Now, the SARS CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is going to infect the tissues of the lungs and the host organism, and the virus can be transmitted in many different ways, including coughing, talking, and improper hygiene. And ultimately, the SARS CoV-2 virus is going to lead to an acute infection. Which means that it is an infection that is characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms that last a relatively short period of time, just a few days and in the case of the COVID-19 disease perhaps up to 2 weeks, 14 days. And, in severe cases of course it can cause death, but the virus will ultimately be eliminated entirely in up to 14 days if the immune system is able to help the host survive. And so down below we just have a few images of of course the pandemic that was caused by the coronavirus was all over the news, throughout 2020 and, of course 2021 as well and even further. And, what you'll notice is, here we are just showing you, the SARS CoV-2 virus, which is an enveloped plus ssRNA virus, and it can be transmitted again through just coughing and speaking and things like that. And over here, we're just showing you some images of some scientists that are wearing protective gear to protect themselves from the virus. And so this here concludes our brief lesson on COVID-19 virus SARS CoV-2 and we'll be able to get some practice applying these concepts as we move forward in our course. And so I'll see you all in our next video.

COVID-19 is a ___________ virus that causes _____________ infections.

• A. dsRNA ; Acute.
• B. ssRNA ; Acute.
• C. ssDNA ; Latent.
• D. ssRNA ; Persistent.

SARS-Cov-2 virus (Covid-19) is a (+) ssRNA virus. Which of the following answers is true about SARS-Cov-2?

• A. To replicate the viral genome the replicase enzyme must be transported into the cell within the viral particle.
• B. The viral genome can be directly translated by the host cell's ribosomes.
• C. The host cell's DNA polymerase is used to replicate the viral genome.
• D. The viral genome cannot be directly translated by the host cell's ribosomes and must be modified.

SARS-Cov-2 virus (Covid-19) is an enveloped virus. Enveloped viruses are easier to deactivate because soaps and disinfectants easily damage the viral envelope. Why does damaging the viral envelope make SARS-Cov-2 not infectious?

• A. SARS-Cov-2 cannot attach to the host cell without its viral envelope.
• B. SARS-Cov-2 cannot replicate its genome without its viral envelope.
• C. SARS-Cov-2 cannot synthesize viral proteins without its viral envelope.
• D. SARS-Cov-2 cannot assemble inside the host cell without its viral envelope.