Viruses Flashcards
Through what microscope can viruses not be seen?
light microscope
Through what microscope can viruses be seen?
electron microscope
Whats the outer part of a virus called? (Give 2)
protein coat (capsid)
What is inside the capsid/protein coat? (consisting what)
nucleic acid with either DNA or RNA
Name 3 things viruses dont have.
ribosomes, mitochondria, or other cytoplasmic organelles
What do viruses not carry out?
they dont carry out any metabolic reactions on their own
What do viruses require to carry out their limited number of reactions?
organelles and enzymes of a host cell
Give 4 points for why viruses could be considered living.
- contain genetic material (DNA/RNA)
- have a protein coat
- can replicate (inside a living cell)
- obligate
Give 5 points for why viruses could be considered non-living.
- are non-cellular
- can’t reproduce by themselves
- no metabolism
- don’t have ribosomes, mitochondria or other cell organelles
- only have one type of nucleic acid (living things have both DNA and RNA)
Why are viruses not included in any of the 5 kingdoms of living things?
as viruses are non-cellular and don’t carry out any metabolic reactions on their own
Name the 3 virus shapes.
round, rod-shaped, complex
What word is used instead of reproduction for viruses?
replication
What does obligate parasites mean?
they need a host to replicate
cannot replicate by themselve
Name the 5 stages in viral replication.
attachment
entry
synthesis
assembly
release
What happens during ‘attachment’ stage?
the virus attaches to the host cell
What happens during ‘entry’ stage?
virus forms a hole in the host cell and viral nucleic acid enters the cell
What happens during ‘synthesis’ stage?
DNA replication and protein synthesis
(viral nucleic acid uses the host’s organelles to produce new viral nucleic acid and proteins)
What happens during ‘assembly’ stage?
viruses assembled
(new viruses made inside host cell using viral molecules that have been produced
What happens during ‘release’ stage?
viruses released
(cell bursts to release new viruses, this is called lysis)
Give the stages of viral replication in one passage.
virus attaches
DNA replication + protein synthesis using host cell organelles
viruses assembled
viruses released
Give 5 human diseases.
coronavirus,
common cold virus,
mumps,
measles,
warts
Give 3 plant diseases.
tobacco mosaic disease,
tomato mosaic disease,
potato mosaic disease
Give 3 animal diseases.
foot and mouth,
rabies,
cowpox
What are 2 benefits of viruses?
can be used in genetic engineering
vaccine production
Discuss antibiotics regarding viruses and bacteria.
antibiotics kill bacteria but do not affect viruses as viruses are non-cellular
Immunity to many virus infections can be produced artificially by?
vaccination/injecting antibodies
Difference between sterility and asepsis?
sterility: absence of all (micro) organisms
asepsis: absence of pathogens
