The study of viruses provides basic and applied knowledge to be used in people's daily actions aimed at the improvement of the quality of life concerning collective health. However, there is a considerable lack of studies that analyze those concepts in the high school textbooks. This research analyzed the main concepts of the Virology in high school Biology textbooks widely used at schools of Aracaju, Sergipe state. The analysis was made with emphasis on the verification of conceptual mis takes whereas taking into consideration the students' previous knowledge. The books presented problems regarding the applied concepts and con- textualization. The obtained results indicate a need for the reformulation and updating of those didactic resources with a view to assist in the teach ing of Virology.
Textbooks; virology; high school teaching