Morphology of Viruses Flashcards
Smallest Viruses
Porcine Circovirus type-1 (17nm)
Parvovirus (18nm)
Largest Viruses
Pandoravirus (400nm)
Poxvirus (200x300nm)
Pleomorphism
Ability of some viruses to alter their shape or size
Most viruses are _______ or __________ shaped.
Most viruses are rod or spherical shaped.
Common methods used to deterime the morphology of viruses:
Electron Microscopy (EM)
Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM)
X-Ray Crystallographic Method
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
_____________ method requires negative staining with electron dense material such as Uranyl Acetate or Phosphotungstate.
Electron Microscopy (EM) method requires negative staining with electron dense material such as Uranyl Acetate or Phosphotungstate.
Resolution range for electron microscopy
50-75 angstroms
________________ method allows the observation of biological specimens in thier native environment (not fixed or stained in any way)
Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) method allows the observation of biological specimens in thier native environment (not fixed or stained in any way)
Resolution range for Cryo-Electron Microscopy
3.3 to 20 angstroms
Explain the X-Ray Crystallographic method process
- Virus or viral protein is crystalized
- X-ray
- Deflection mesasured to form electron density map
- Protein model created
- Reconstruction of virus structure
Capsid
Protein shell of a virus that encases/ envelopes the viral nucleic acid or genome
The capsid is made up of ______ held together by covalent bonds
The capsid is made up of capsomeres held together by covalent bonds
Viruses have one capsid, except for _____________ which have a double layered capsid
Viruses have one capsid, except for Reoviruses which have a double layered capsid
Capsomere
Basic subunit protein in the capsid of a virus
Nucleocapsid
Capsid + Virus Nucleic Acid/Genome
Common capsid symmetries
Helical Symmetry
Cubic/ Icosahedral Symmetry
Complex
Incomplete virions cannot form ____________ symmetry.
Incomplete virions cannot form helical symmetry.
Helical nucleocapsids of animals are enclosed by ____________
Helical nucleocapsids of animals are enclosed by lipoprotein envelope
Naked helical nucleocapsids are common among _______ viruses.
Naked helical nucleocapsids are common among plant viruses.
Icosahedral viruses always have ________ corners
Icosahedral viruses always have 12 corners
Two types of capsomers present in icosahedral capsid
Pentagonal Capsomers
Hexagonal Capsomers
Pentons make up the (vertices/facets)
Pentons make up the (vertices/facets)
Hexons make up the (vertices/facets)
Hexons make up the (vertices/facets)
Triangulation Number (T-Number)
Describes the relation between the number of pentagons and hexagons of the icosahedron.
The (larger/smaller) the T-Number the more hexagons are present relative to the pentagons.
The (larger/smaller) the T-Number the more hexagons are present relative to the pentagons.
T- Number Equation
T = H2 + h * k + k2
________ has a T = 1, simplest icosahedron
Parvovirus has a T = 1, simplest icosahedron