Viruses Flashcards
Viruses can be described as obligate intracellular parasites because . . .
they can only exist and reproduce as parasites in the cells of other living organisms. Viruses need to invade and overtake living cells in order to reproduce.
Capsomeres are repeating _______ units that make up the _________ of a virus
Capsomeres are repeating protein units that make up the capsid of a virus.
can we use antibiotics on viruses?
no because they are not living cells thus antivirals must work by inhibiting virus replication
what are some ways antivirals can work against viruses
target receptors by which viruses recognise host cells by
target the enzymes that help to translate or replicate the viral DNA or RNA
inhibit the protease enzymes that enable new virus particles to bud from host membranes
in disease control of viruses the main focus should be on preventing __________
in disease control of viruses the main focus should be on preventing spread
Identify 6 ways of controlling spread of a disease
rapid identification of disease
nursing in isolation
preventing transmission from one individual to another
sterilizing or disposing of equipment and bedding after use
the wearing of protective clothing by health workers
identifying contacts
describe the stages of the drug development process
early phase research- testing on cell cultures
preclinical testing-animal testing
clinical trials-human testing
regulation review
scale up manufacturing
ethical implications behind fast tracked drugs
severity of disease
availability of any other treatments for the disease
effectiveness of standard disease control measures in halting the spread of the disease
transparency about the process and informed consent of those given the treatment
freedom of choice over participation
involvement of affected community- sometimes overall .. community treatment may be more valuable than individual consent
reasons against using untested drugs
unexpected side effects that can make the situation worse
informed consent is difficult to obtain if the ill have lower levels of education
State the 2 routes of virus infection and describe the differences between them
LATENCY-LYSOGENIC PATHWAY
DNA is inserted into host cell (aka provirus) and is replicated every time the cell divides. This does not affect the host cell. The virus is part of the host cell but can be said to be latent.(non-virulent).
Messenger RNA is not produced because one of the viral genes causes the production of repressor proteins which makes it impossible to translate the rest of the viral genetic material
THE LYTIC PATHWAY
Viral genetic material is replicated independently of the host DNA straight after entering the host.
Mature viruses are made and eventually the host bursts, releasing large numbers of new virus particles that can invade other cells.- the amount of repressor protein decreases and the viruses enter the lytic stages in their life and become virulent (disease causing)
some viruses have both latent and lytic stages in their life cycles
