Introduction to Viruses

Question 1

What is the typical size of a single virus?

Answer 1

Bloody small: 20-400nm in diameter

Question 2

Describe the three shapes viruses come in

Answer 2

Icosahedral, helical, complex

Question 3

Describe icosahedral viruses

Answer 3

20 faces, each equilateral triangles

Question 4

Describe helical viruses

Answer 4

Binds around DNA/RNA in a helical fashion

Question 5

Describe complex viruses

Answer 5

Neither icosahedral nor helical

Question 6

What specificity do viruses show?

Answer 6

Most viruses have a specific host range and only infect inside specific host cell types (tissue tropism)

Question 7

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a blood-borne vector

Answer 7

HIV, Hep B, Hep C

Question 8

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a sexual vector

Answer 8

HIV, Hep B

Question 9

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a vertical vector

Answer 9

HIV, Hep B

Question 10

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a faecal-oral vector

Answer 10

Hep A, Hep E, Polio

Question 11

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a droplet vector

Answer 11

Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Question 12

Give an example of a virus transmitted by an airborne vector

Answer 12

Measles, Chickenpox

Question 13

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a close-contact vector

Answer 13

Herpes Simplex, Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus (Both cause infectious mononucleosis)

Question 14

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a vector-borne vector

Answer 14

Dengue, Yellow Fever, Chikungunya

Question 15

Give an example of a virus transmitted by a zoonotic vector

Answer 15

Rabies, Middle-Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Ebola (genus)