Virology Flashcards
1
Q
What are the key components of viruses?
A
Genome, capsid, surface glycoproteins
2
Q
What kind of capsids can be found surrounding viruses?
A
Icosahedral and helical capsids (nucleocapsid).
3
Q
What is the function of the capsid?
A
Protection of the viral genome. More layers of capsid make the virus more hardy
4
Q
Describe the envelope of viruses
A
A lipid layer surrounding the capsid of viruses that aren’t ‘naked’
Made of host cell membrane when the virus buds off
Not very strong
Stabilised and connected the capsid by the matrix
5
Q
What classification criteria are used to group viruses into families?
A
Nucleic acid type -> capsid symmetry -> naked or envelope -> morphology of genome
