Viruses Flashcards
Are viruses bigger or smaller than bacterial cells?
Much smaller
Range of length for a virus particle?
20 nm to 300 nm.
Are all viruses the same shape?
No, different viruses have different shapes.
What shape are most viruses?
Broadly spherical
Why are viruses considered non-living organisms?
They can’t reproduce independently.
Are viruses cellular or acellular?
Acellular.
When can viruses reproduce?
When they invade a host cell and use the host cell’s enzymes.
Process of a virus reproducing?
1) Virus particle attaches to the surface of a host cell.
2) Virus enters host cell.
3) Virus uses host cell’s enzymes to reproduce.
4) Virus particle leaves host cell goes on to infect new host cells and continue reproducing.
What do all viruses contain?
Capsid
Attachment proteins
Genetic material
What type of genetic material do viruses have?
DNA or RNA
Where are attachment proteins?
On the surface of a virus.
What is the function of attachment proteins?
Allows viruses to attach to and enter host cells.
What is contained inside a capsid?
The genetic material.
What is the capsid made up of?
Protein
What can the capsid be surrounded by in some occasions?
A lipid envelope.
