Purple Band 8
WHAT ARE VIRUSES?
E R A T A H W ? S E S U R I V
Viruses are so tiny they can’t be seen without a microscope. But, these tiny things can do a lot. Find out what viruses are, and whether they can ever be a force for good. Browse the complete Collins catalogue at
www.collins.co.uk
An information book
Isabel Thomas
www.collins.co.uk/collinsbigcat
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What are viruses? Can viruses harm your skin?
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What are viruses? Viruses are very small germs – too tiny to see with our eyes. This photo was taken by a powerful microscope. You could line up 10,000 of these viruses on a full stop.
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What’s the difference between viruses and other germs? Viruses are much smaller than other germs. But that’s not the only difference. Germs such as bacteria are living things. They move, feed, grow, get rid of waste and make copies of themselves. When they do these things inside our bodies, they can make us ill. Viruses are not alive. They don’t move, feed or grow. But some viruses can cause illnesses if they get inside a living thing.
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virus bacteria
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How many types of viruses are there? There are probably billions of types of viruses: too many for scientists to count! All viruses have: ● instructions for building new viruses ● a protective coat.
Some viruses are long and thin. 6
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instructions
coat Some have a head and tail.
Some look like spheres. 7
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Purple Band 8
WHAT ARE VIRUSES?
E R A T A H W ? S E S U R I V
Viruses are so tiny they can’t be seen without a microscope. But, these tiny things can do a lot. Find out what viruses are, and whether they can ever be a force for good. Browse the complete Collins catalogue at
www.collins.co.uk
An information book
Isabel Thomas
www.collins.co.uk/collinsbigcat
54760_Cover.indd 1
23/03/2021 14:58