Virology Flashcards
what are viruses?
Obligate parasites that can function only after they replicate in a cell
Viruses depend on their host to survive because:
If viruses are too successful and quickly kill their hosts, they immediately eliminate themselves too e.g. omicron
If viruses are too passive and the host can stop their growth, then they also eliminate themselves
Name 3 different phases withing a virus (LEM)
Eclipse phase, here there are no viral particles yet
Maturation phase, here only cell-associated viruses are present
Latent phase, the release of the virus
The genetic material is surrounded by:
a protein capsid (helical or icosahedral)
What is the function of a capsid?
Protecting nucleic acids from chemical, physical and enzymatic damage
Why do viruses only use a limited number of designs?
Because it requires less genetic material because it repeats
How many subunits does a isohedrical capsid have?
60
Metastability =?
the ability of a non-equilibrium state to hold for a long time
Whats the difference between naked and eveloped viruses?
Naked viruses are composed of only the nucleocapsid and enveloped viruses have a layer of plasma membrane taken from the host cell that surrounds the nucelocapsid
Whats the function of spikes?
They add to the attachment of the virus to a host cell membrane
Host range =?
it defines the number of host species used by a pathogen
Whats the difference between specialists and generalists?
Specialists infect a limited amount of hosts and generalists infect a large range of hosts
Whats the difference between specialists and generalists?
Specialists infect a limited amount of hosts and generalists infect a large range of hosts
Tissue tropism =?
The different cell types that can be infected by the virus
a resistant cell has:…
no entry receptor, the the cell may or may not be able to support the viral replication
A susceptible cell has…
a functional receptor for a given virus, so the cell may or may not support viral replication
A permissive cell can…
replicate the virus, but may or may not be susceptible
A susceptible and permissive cell can…
take up a virus particle and replicate it
Primary cells…
are prepared directly from an animal or human tissue (can be subcultered)
Semi-coninuous diploid cells…
are derived from human fetal tissue
Continuous cells…
are derived from tumors of human or animal tissue
Name 4 quantification methods (pfvt)
Plaque assay, fluorescent focus assay, virus in cell culture and TCID50
Multiplicity of infection (MOI) = ?
the number of indectious particles added per cells
Name 6 physical measurements of virus particles
Heamagglutination assay, haemagglutination inhibiton assay, EM, ELISA, flowcytometry, and antigen rapid test