Question 1: Define a virus and explain how it differs from bacteria.

Answer: A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that requires a host cell to reproduce, unlike bacteria which are single-celled organisms capable of independent life.

Question 2: Describe how a virus infects muscle cells in an athlete during training.

Answer: The virus attaches to specific receptors on muscle cell surfaces, enters the cell, hijacks its machinery to produce more viruses, and causes cell damage or death, which can impair athletic performance.

Question 3: In a sports team, 15 out of 50 athletes showed symptoms of viral infection. Calculate the percentage of infected athletes.

Answer: 30%

Question 4: Identify two common viruses that can affect athletes and briefly explain how they spread.

Answer: Influenza virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets, and the herpes simplex virus, which can spread through contact with infected saliva or skin. Both can be transmitted during close contact or shared equipment.

Question 5: Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a method by which viruses are transmitted in sports settings?

Answer: D) Genetic inheritance from parents

Question 6: Fill in the blank: Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight specific ________ viruses.

Answer: future

Question 7: Explain why rapid detection of viral infections in sports teams is important for preventing outbreaks.

Answer: Rapid detection allows for early isolation and treatment of infected individuals, reducing the risk of transmission to others. It helps maintain team health, prevent widespread outbreaks, and ensures that athletes can recover quickly to resume training and competitions.

Question 8: Design a simple experiment to test whether hand sanitizer reduces the spread of viruses among athletes during training sessions.

Answer: Set up two groups of athletes: one uses hand sanitizer before training, and the other does not. Monitor and record the number of infected individuals in each group over a specified period. Compare infection rates to determine the effectiveness of hand sanitizer.

Question 9: Scenario: An athlete contracts a viral infection that reduces their stamina and causes fatigue after training. Explain the biological mechanism behind this effect.

Answer: The viral infection damages muscle cells and impairs energy production, leading to fatigue. The immune response also diverts energy resources, reducing overall stamina and recovery ability.

Question 10: What are two safety precautions athletes should take to prevent viral infections during competitions?

Answer: Wearing masks and practicing good hand hygiene are essential precautions to reduce the risk of viral transmission during sports events.

Question 11: Discuss how the development of antiviral drugs has impacted sports medicine and athlete health.

Answer: Antiviral drugs help treat viral infections more effectively, reducing illness duration and severity among athletes. This minimizes downtime, prevents outbreaks in teams, and allows athletes to recover faster, maintaining their performance and health.