Test 1 Flashcards
What is a Virus?
Infectious particle consisting of nucleic acid inside of a protein coat and sometimes surrounded by membranous envelope.
What is the genome of a virus?
The genome can consist of double and single stranded DNA or RNA.
What is a capsid?
The protein shell enclosing the viral genome.
What are capsids built from?
Protein subunits called capsomeres.
Viral Envelope
Derived from membranes of the host cell, they contain host cell phospholipids and membrane protein.
Bacteriophage
Viruses that infect bacteria
How do viruses replicate? And why?
Viruses replicate by infecting host cells. Viruses have no metabolic enzymes or equipment for making proteins.
How do viruses find host cells?
A “lock and key” fit between viral surface proteins and specific receptor molecules on the out side of the cell.
