Final > Infectious Agents: Viruses Flashcards
What are the 5 main features of viruses that differentiate them from bacteria?
- Obligatory intracellular parasites
- Contain DNA or RNA
- Contain a protein coat
- No ribosomes
- No ATP-generating mechanism
What main replicative feature (used to differentiate bacteria) do viruses lack?
16S rRNA.
Which bacteria share certain features with viruses but not other bacteria? What are these features?
Rickettsias and Chlamydias are both intracellular parasites and sometimes require a host for ATP generation.
What is meant by the term “Host Range” with regards to viruses?
The spectrum of host cells a virus can infect.
What 2 main factors determine the host range of a virus?
- Specific host attachment sites
2. Protein-protein interaction
What is the the size range of a bacteriophage?
20nm to 1000nm in length.
Are bacteriophages specific to a certain type of bacteria?
Yes.
What 4 components compose a virion (fully developed viral particle)?
- Nucleic acid
- Capsid
- Envelope
- Spikes
Do all viruses have an envelope? Does influenza virus?
No, some don’t. Influenza does though (N protein).
What is the name of the subunits which make up the viral capsid?
Capsomeres.
What does a complex virus look like?
Its the one with the spider legs and polyhedral head. Iconic.
Viral genus names end in ________.
-virus.
Viral family names end in ________.
-viridae.
Viral order names end in ________.
-ales.
What is the definition of viral species?
A group of viruses sharing the same genetic information and ecological niche (host).
Regarding a viral life cycle, what does the size of the virus indicate?
A more complex life cycle.
How are bacteriophages grown in the laboratory? How can they be recognized?
In agar cultures of bacteria. Plaques (clear areas) form around bacteriophages on the agar surface.
What unit can be used to quantify the presence of bacteriophages in an agar culture?
Plaque-forming units (PFU).
Approximately what percentage of human infections are caused by viruses?
~20%.
What must a virus also have it it carries its genetic material as RNA?
Reverse transcriptase.
What must a virus also have if it carries its genetic material as DNA?
Regular ol’ transcriptase (polymerase).
Where in a bacterial cell does viral infection occur? What about in eukaryotic cells?
Bacteria: cytosol
Eukaryotes: cytosol or nucleus
Describe the eclipse period of a viral infection.
The period while the virus is replicating in the cell and before mature virions are released.
Describe the acute period of viral infection.
When virion release from the cell ramps up and before the immune response takes over.
What is the difference between the viral lytic cycle and a viral lysogenic cycle?
Lytic: phage causes lysis of cell upon replication
Lysogenic: phage DNA incorporated into host DNA and replicates normally
What 5 main steps outline the viral lytic cycle?
- Attachment
- Penetration
- Biosynthesis
- Maturation
- Release (lysis)
What term is used to describe the inserted phage DNA before it becomes a new virion?
A prophage. duh.
What is meant by “specialized transduction” with regards to bacterial/viral reproduction?
When a bacteria takes advantage of a phage to spread its genes to other bacteria for reproduction.
With 2 exceptions, RNA viruses reproduce in the cytosol and DNA viruses reproduce in the nucleus. What are these exception?
- Influenza virus is RNA but reproduces in the nucleus
2. Smallpox is DNA but reproduces in the cytosol
How are enveloped viruses released from the cell? What about non-enveloped viruses?
Enveloped: budding (endocytosis)
Non-enveloped: lysis
What kind of genome do class I viruses have? What are some examples of viruses in this category?
dsDNA. Ex: Smallpox, Herpes, HPV, Varicella, Epstein-Barr.
What kind of genome do class II viruses have? What are some examples of viruses in this category?
ssDNA. Ex: Parvovirus (non-pathogenic).