Introduction to Viruses Flashcards
What three categories can viruses be placed into
Icosahedral - have 20 faces with each being an equilateral
Helical - the protein binds around DNA/RNA in a helical fashion
Complex - neither icosahedral or helical
Where do viruses replicate
Inside the host cell as they are obligate intracellular pathogens
Viruses are…
non-cellular and small
How can viruses be classified
Order Family Genus Species (in this order)
What factors are looked at when determining virus families
Virion shape/symmetry
Presence/absence of envelope
Genome structure
Mode of replication
Describe the structure of viruses
They have: Spike projections Lipid envelope Protein caspid Virion associated polymerase Nucleic acid
How do viruses replicate
The viruses undergoes: Maturation Attachment Uncoating Replication of genomic nucleic acid (either through mRNA synthesis or genomic nucleic acid synthesis) Protein synthesis Virus proteins are inserted into the membrane Virion is assembled Budding and release
What is host range in viruses
Some viruses may only infect humans while others can also infect other animals/birds
What can the coinfection of human and animal/bird strains in one organism cause
The recombination and generation of a new strain
What can a viral infection cause
Clearance of a virus with: no, short or long-term immunity
Chronic infection (e.g. HIV, Hep B)
Latent infection
Transformation
What is transformation
Long-term infection with altered cellular gene expression (e.g. EBV)
Give an example of a disease which shows viral latency
Herpes Simplex Virus
Varicella Zoster Virus
What is viral latency
When viruses stay dormant in the host cell after a primary infection.
The full viral genome is present but its expression is restricted
What is reduced in viral latency
Number of viral antigens present
No viral particles produced
Where is reactivation most likely to occur
Immunocompromised patients