Introduction to Virology Flashcards
characteristics of viruses
(1) they are filterable agents; they are not living organisms
(2) they are obligatory intracellular parasites
(3) viruses cannot produce energy or synthesize proteins independently, the host cell machinery is needed
(4) viral genome may be RNA or DNA but not both
(5) viruses have a naked capsid or are enveloped
(6) viruses do not replicate by division; their components must self-assemble
(7) viruses must encode any required processes not provided by the host cell
What is the basic difference between enveloped and naked viruses?
Enveloped viruses are viruses that have an outer lipid bilayer membrane, known as an envelope, surrounding their protein capsid e.g. influenza virus, HIV and coronaviruses.
Naked (non-enveloped) viruses lack the lipid envelope and consist only of the protein capsid surrounding their genetic material.
Other than the obvious structural difference between enveloped and naked viruses, what are some other differences between the two? [Hints: hardiness, release, transmission, gut, immune response]
(a) Enveloped viruses are labile [easily altered] and destroyed by acids, detergents and drying agents whereas naked viruses are stable to temperature, acids, proteases, disinfectants and drying.
(b) Enveloped viruses are released by budding and cell lysis whereas naked viruses are released from cells by lysis.
(c) Enveloped viruses spread to hosts via large droplets, secretions, transplanted organs, blood transfusion whereas naked viruses spread easily by direct contact, with dust and by small air droplets.
(d) Enveloped viruses must stay wet whereas naked viruses can retain infectivity even when dry.
(e) Enveloped viruses cannot survive in the gut, whereas naked viruses can survive in the gut.
(f) An effective immune response against enveloped viruses comprises antibody and cell mediated immunity, whereas antibodies are sufficient against naked viruses.
How do viruses replicate?
Viruses replicate by invading a host cell and using its cellular machinery to produce more virus particles.
What is the outer protein coat of a virus called?
a capsid
What is a bacteriophage?
A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.
What is the function of the viral envelope?
The viral envelope helps viruses infect host cells by fusing with the cell membrane.
What is a retrovirus?
A retrovirus is a type of RNA virus that uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA genome into DNA for integration into the host cell’s genome.
How do vaccines work against viruses?
Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against specific viral antigens, providing immunity against future infections.
What is the primary goal of antiviral drugs?
The primary goal of antiviral drugs is to inhibit viral replication and hence prevent the spread of infection within the body.
What is a prion?
A prion is an infectious agent composed entirely of protein material that can cause abnormal folding of proteins in the brain, leading to neurodegenerative diseases.
State two functions of the viral capsid.
(a) It protects the nucleic acid core.
(b) It mediates viral adsorption and penetration of cells through interactions with receptors on cell membranes.
How do enveloped viruses acquire their envelopes?
They acquire their envelopes from portions of the host cell membranes during the budding process.
How do enveloped viruses enter host cells?
They enter host cells by fusing their lipid bilayer membrane with the host cell membrane.
What advantage does the viral envelope confer to a virus?
The lipid bilayer in the viral envelope is derived from the host cell membrane and helps the virus evade the host immune system.
What are peplomers?
These are glycoprotein units projecting from the surface of certain enveloped viruses.
What role do peplomers play in viral infection?
They facilitate the attachment of the virus to specific receptors on the surface of host cells, which is the first step in viral entry.
portals of virus entry
respiratory tract, gastrointestial tract, genital tract, skin, eyes, placenta, transplants
List the 6 stages of viral replication.
(1) adsorption/attachment
(2) penetration
(3) uncoating
(4) synthesis
(5) assembly
(6) release
Briefly discuss the attachment stage of viral replication and compare enveloped and naked viruses in this regard.
Enveloped viruses use glycoproteins on their surface to bind to specific receptors on the host cell membrane. Naked viruses attach to host cells using capsid proteins that bind to specific receptors on the host cell surface.
Compare the penetration process in enveloped and naked viruses.
Enveloped viruses have three main modes of penetration:
(1) Membrane fusion
Some enveloped viruses, like HIV, fuse directly with the host cell membrane. The viral envelope merges with the cell membrane, allowing the viral nucleocapsid to enter the cytoplasm.
(2) Endocytosis
The enveloped virus binds to receptors on the cell surface, is engulfed in a coated vesicle, and then fusion with the endosome occurs.
(3) Macropinocytosis
Certain viruses exploit macropinocytosis, a process where the cell englufs extracellular fluid and particles in large vesicles. This non-specific uptake allows the virus to enter the cell and subsequently escape from the vesicle.
[Diagram 1] [Diagram 2] [Diagram 3]
Naked viruses enter the host cell via receptor-mediated endocytosis, forming endosomal vesicles.
Compare the uncoating process in naked and enveloped viruses.
🛸 Naked viruses uncoat after escaping from the endocytic vesicle.
🛸 For enveloped viruses, the lipid membrane has to be lost first for uncoating to take place. Some enveloped viruses lose their membranes as they fuse with the host cell membrane. For other enveloped viruses that enter via endocytosis, the virus is engulfed by the cell membrane and taken into an endosome. The acidic environment within the endosome triggers conformational changes in viral proteins, leading to the fusion of the viral envelope with the endosomal membrane. In both instances, the nucleocapsid is released into the cytoplasm.
🛸 Once the nucleocapsid is in the cytoplasm, uncoating occurs to release the viral genome. This can involve host cell enzymes or viral proteins that degrade the capsid, allowing the viral nucleic acid to be free for replication.
(a) What is the eclipse phase of viral replication?
(b) What are two characteristics of the eclipse phase?
(a) The eclipse phase is the period after a virus has entered a host cell but before new viral particles are assembled and released.
(b) Characteristics:
✓ No detectable virions: During this phase, no complete viral particles can be detected inside or outside the host cell.
✓ Genome replication: The viral genome is being repilcated and viral proteins are being synthesized.
