Virology Flashcards
Viruses cause ___% of human illness
80%
Can obligate intracellular parasites live outside a cellular host?
No
Can obligate intracellular parasites be treated or cured?
No, not with existing medical therapies
What are the smallest known pathogens?
Viroids
What are viroids? How do they replicate?
Naked, circular, single-stranded RNA molecules that do not encode protein yet replicate autonomously when introduced into host plants
A viral particle is a…
virion
What does a virion’s structure consist of?
- Protein coat
- Nucleic acid core
- Envelope (occasionally)
In a laboratory setting, what are the three ways to replicate viruses?
- Cell culture
- Fertilized eggs
- Living animals
Each virus capsid consists of…
identical protein units called capsomeres
The protein coat surround the nucleic acid core is called…
a capsid
Capsomeres bond together and give the capsid…
symmetry
What are the two basic patterns of self assembly of virus capsids?
- Helical symmetry
- Icosahedral symmetry
What is helical symmetry of a capsid?
Protein subunits and nucleic acid are arranged in a helix
What is icosahedral symmetry of a capsid?
Protein subunits assemble into a symmetric shell that covers the nucleic acid containing core
Viruses are characterized by their…
nucleic acid cores
The DNA and RNA is a virus’ core can be ___ or ___
ds (double stranded) or ss (single stranded)
If genetic information is used within a cell to produce the proteins needed for the cell to function, what is occurring?
Expression
Cell metabolizes and grows
If genetic information is being transferred horizontally between cells of the same generation, what is occurring?
Recombination
Recombinant cell with new combinations of genes
If genetic information is being transferred vertically to the next generation of cells, what is occurring?
Replication
Offspring cells produced
What is the most stable viral form/genome?
dsDNA genome
What is an example of a virus with dsDNA genome?
Herpesviridae
What viral form/genome is most prone to mutation?
+ssRNA genome
What is an example of a virus with +ssRNA genome?
Ebola virus
Many viruses that infect mammals are…
enveloped
All envelopes have…
a phospholipid bilayer
Envelopes arise from…
the plasma membrane of the infected host cell
If a virus does not have an envelope, how is it classified?
Naked
Is adenovirus naked or enveloped?
Naked