Name ___________________________________________ Period _________
Virus Graphing Practice
The temperature and of the organism's body may have an effect on the growth patterns of many species of
viruses. A study of viral reproduction was under taken by a local university. It measured the temperature of
the organism and the change viral number over a 2 day period. The results of the study are found in the data
table below. Examine the data, line graph it, and answer the questions that follow.
Temperature of the organism in °C
Number of virus A per cell
Number of virus B per cell
30
60
77
35
115
88
36
128
260
37
143
200
38
243
150
40
47
34
45
21
2
46
2
2
Graph Title: _____________________________________________________________
1. What is the average number of virus A in the experiment? ____________. Virus B? __________.
2. What is the average temperature of the experiment? _____________.
3. At what temperature did virus A develop the best? ___________ °C.
4. If 38 degrees C is equivalent to 98.6 degrees F. What type of organism would this virus A infect?
______________________________________________________________________________________.
5. DNA and RNA are very heat sensitive. That means they may mutate or completely break apart if the
temperature is not satisfactory. Based on the above data, what temperature(s) seem to be the best for viral
development? ____________________________.
6. What term is used if the temperature in a human goes above 98.6 degrees F? _________
7. If these viruses reproduced by using the lytic cycle, how many cells would be destroyed at each
temperature? ______________.
8. How many cells would be infected by virus B at each temperature?
______________________________________________________________________________________.
9. At what temperature(s) would the most cell destruction take place for Virus A? _______
10. Explain ______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
11. What type of treatment would best help a person infected with type A virus? _______________________
________________________________________________________________________________________.
Virus Graphing Practice – Teacher Answer Key (guide)
© Lisa Michalek
Number of Viruses per Cell
Graph Title: Temperature of Organism (°C) vs. Number of Viruses per Cell
Temperature of Organism (°C)
1. What is the average number of virus A in the experiment? 95 Viruses per Cell
Virus B? 102 Viruses per Cell
2. What is the average temperature of the experiment? 38.4° C
3. At what temperature did virus A develop the best? 243° C
4. If 38 degrees C is equivalent to 98.6 degrees F. What type of organism would this virus A infect?
Humans, as this is the average ‘normal’ temperature for humans.
5. DNA and RNA are very heat sensitive. That means they may mutate or completely break apart if the
temperature is not satisfactory. Based on the above data, what temperature(s) seem to be the best for viral
development? 35° - 38° C
6. What term is used if the temperature in a human goes above 98.6 degrees F? fever
7. If these viruses reproduced by using the lytic cycle, how many cells would be destroyed at each
temperature? The amount of cells destroyed at each temperature would be the amount of viruses that
are produced within the cell.
8. How many cells would be infected by virus B at each temperature?
30°=77, 35°=88, 36°=260, 37°=200, 38°=150, 40°=34, 45°=2, 46°=2
9. At what temperature(s) would the most cell destruction take place for Virus A? 38° C
10. Explain This temperature produces the most viruses per cell.
11. What type of treatment would best help a person infected with type A virus?
Allow the patient to run a fever.