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Viral DNA Integration

Image from the activity of a segment of DNA

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • DNA & RNA
  • Microbiology
  • Viruses
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
7 Users
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Description

In this hands-on activity, students model how a double-stranded DNA copy of the HIV genome is integrated into the host cell DNA.

This activity is part of a series of activities and demonstrations focusing on various aspects of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) life cycle. In this activity, students model the integration step.

HIV is a retrovirus. Retroviruses are distinguished from other types of viruses by two key steps in the replication cycle: reverse transcription and integration. After HIV infects a host cell, reverse transcription results in the production of a double-stranded DNA copy of the single-stranded HIV RNA genome. Integration results in the insertion of the HIV DNA into a region of the host genome.

Student Learning Targets

  • Model how viral RNA is integrated into host cell DNA by using different colors of plastic pop beads.

  • Apply concepts related to DNA and RNA synthesis to viral replication processes.

Estimated Time

One 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

DNA, genome, integrase, reverse transcriptase, RNA, transcription, translation

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Version History

Date Published 02.06.17
Date Updated 02.06.17

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1; SEP2

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.O, IST-4.B; SP2

IB Biology (2016)

2.7

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC3; DP3

Materials

Student Worksheet (PDF) 350 KB
Educator Materials (PDF) 1 MB

Additional Materials

pop beads of three different colors

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
HIV Life Cycle

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