Intro To Viruses Flashcards
What is a virus?
A non-cellular genetic element that cannot replacing independently of the host
Most viruses have a specific host-range
What are the defining chaRACTERISTICS OF VIRUSES?
VIRION SHAPE/SYMMETRY
Presence/absence of ‘envelope’
Genome structure
Mode of replication
Examples of blood-bourne viruses
HIV
Hep B
Hep C
Examples of sexually transmitted viruses
HIV
Hep B
Examples of faecal-orally transmitted viruses?
Hep A Hep E
Polio
Examples of Droplet transmitted viruses
Influenza
RSV
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus
Causes respiratory tract infections
Examples of airborne viruses?
Measles
Chickenpox
Examples of close contact viruses?
Herpes
Examples of vector borne viruses?
Dengue
Yellow fever
Chikungunya
Examples of zoonotic viruses
Rabies
MERS
Ebola
Describe structure of virus
Nuclei acid with associated polymerase
Encased in protein capsid, encased by lipid envelope, with spike projections.
How does a virus replicate?
Attaches self to host cell and injects genetic material
Budding and release
Maturation
Attachment
Host range?
Some viruses only infect humans (small pox, measles)
Some also infect animals
- co-infection of of human and animal/bird strain in one organism can lead to generation of a new strain
What can lead to the generation of a new strain?
Co infection of human and animal/bird strains in same organism.