Viruses Flashcards
What is the outside protein coat of a virus called?
Capsid (synthesised from capsomere proteins)
How does the lipid envelope help the virus survive in the body?
Envelope is derived from host membranes - hides the viral proteins from the immune system
What are the sub-units of the capsid?
Capsomers
What are the 2 types of viral symmetry/structure?
Helical and icosahedral
Which sites within the cell can viruses bud (get envelope) from?
Cell membrane
Nuclear membrane
Golgi apparatus
Endoplasmic reticulum
Which shape nucleocapsid also means the virus will have an envelope?
Helical
What are peplomers?
Virus derived proteins anchored on the surface
Usually glycosylated
What is the function of peplomers?
Adhere to surface of host cell
What is the main route of viral entry into the cell?
Receptor-mediated endocytosis
What is negative sense RNA?
RNA which must be copied to form a positive RNA message before it can be translated into protein
What are the 5 routes of viral infection?
Respiratory Oral Cutaneous Percutaneous (bites/wounds) Sexually
Give 2 examples of viruses transmitted percutaneously
Rabies
Feline immunodeficiency virus
What are arboviruses?
Viruses transmitted by arthropod vectors (e.g. malaria in mosquitos)
What are the 2 types of receptor/ligand interactions?
High specific interactions (e.g. HIV/FIV)
Non-specific (e.g. influenza viruses)
What is lytic infection?
One where the virus replication cycle ends in host cell death with release of new virus particles
