Unit C - Viruses Flashcards
Variolation
Old medical treatment, where patient was infected with disease to see if they’d survive and build resistance
Vaccination
Process of injecting a vaccine (treatment containing weakened or non disease causing strain if pathogens) in order to build up the immune system against those pathogens
Pathogens
Disease causing microorganisms
Virus
Non-cellular infectious particles
Capsid
Protein coat - made up of individual units called capsomeres which form a protective barrier around genetic material
Viral Specificity
Ability to only infect specific types of cells
Nucleic Acid
Genetic material
Encapsulated
Within a capsule (protective layer that hides virus from immune system)
Penetration
The process of a virus injecting its nucleic acid into the host cell
Replication
To copy (oneself)
Lytic cycle
Basic reproductive cycle of viruses (attachement, penetration/ entry, replication, assembly, release)
Plasmid
Specialized ring of DNA in bacteria
Prophage
Viral genetic material that’s been inserted into plasmid during lysogenic cycle
Retrovirus
Virus that has RNA isntead of DNA as its genetic material
Vectors
Organism that transmits a pathogen or pollen (i.e. insects)
Primary line of defense
Natural protection provided by skin and other specilizations (i.e. mucus) that line the openings into the body
Secondary line of defense
Non-specific resistance that destroys invaders in a generalized way, white blood cells (macrophages) identify pathogens and destroy or ingest them
Tertiary/ Third line of defense
Acquired immuntiy, involves recognition of antigens as foreign and the release of antibodies to combat the pathogen
Antigens
Type if molecule on cells that serves as a “genetic idenetifier” (BAD)
Antibodies
Y-shaped proteins released by lymphatic white blood cells when antigens enter the blood stream (GOOD)
Oncolytic viruses
Virus that targets cancer cells
Active immuntiy
Where white blood cells create their own antibodies, only possible FOLLOWING infection or vaccination
Passive immunity
Immunity from infection/ disease that’s obtained via INJECTION of antibodies into system
Herd immunity
Immunity gained without vaccination becuase majority of population has been vaccinated
Virulent
Capable of causing disease
Lysogenic cycle
More complex reproductive cycle for viruses, follows lytic cycle after prophage breaks free from DNA in host cell and enters Replication stage of lytic cycle
