Abstract This case study introduces students to viruses and is suitable for a general biology

Abstract
This case study introduces students to viruses and is suitable for a
general biology course. Terry is a college student who travels to a West
African clinic for the summer as a volunteer. While abroad, Terry comes
into contact with a patient infected with the Ebola virus and later
displays the signs and symptoms of an Ebola virus infection. Over the
course of the case study Terry learns about the general features of
viruses, viral life cycles, in addition to the unique features of the
Ebola virus and treatment options. The case is presented in an
interrupted fashion. Students are expected to have prior knowledge of
protein, lipid and nucleic acid structure and function, the parts of the
cells (e.g., the properties of the cell membrane and the role of
ribosomes) and the central dogma (e.g., the processes of transcription
and translation). An advanced version of the case, intended for upper
level undergraduate and graduate students, is also available on this
site.

Objectives
Describe the different parts that make up the structure of a virus.
Explain the five steps needed for a virus to infect a host cell.
Describe how receptors on host cells are important for viral attachment to host cells.
Explain how a virus gains entry into the host cell.
Describe what parts of the host cell are used for virus
replication and how a virus leaves when replication is complete.
Describe major structural features of the Ebola virus.
Label the major steps in the Ebola virus life cycle.
Describe the general options available for currently treating Ebola virus infections.