Viruses Flashcards
Why are viruses not considered living
Viruses do not poses any characteristics of life, except for the ability to reproduce and this can be only done while it’s inside a host cell. They have to highjack the hosts cell in order to perform metabolic processes like making copies of their nucleic acid and their protective protein coat. This makes them obligatory parasites
what does endemic mean
A disease found among a particular group of people in a local region
What does epidemic mean
A disease that occurs in many individuals in a community at the same time
What does pandemic mean
A disease that effects many people around the world
How are viruses named
Viruses are named according to the host they infect and the typical symptoms that they produce and sometimes the place of original epidemic
How does a virus infect a person and take over the host cells and replaced
Virus bonds it receptors on host cell,
viral RNA reverse transcriptase,
integrate, and other viral proteins enter the host cell
Viral RNA is reverse transcribed to make DNA
Viral DNA enters the nucleus and integrates into the host cells DNA
New RNAs act as viral gnomes and are translated to make viral proteins
Viral RNA and proteins assemble at the cell surface, forming new viral particles
A protease process viral proteins to make mature viral particle
What are the precautions to avoid being infected by a virus
Stay away from sick people, wash your hands often, boost your immune system by eating good nutritious food, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep. You can also get a vaccine if one is available
What are the microorganisms we like
Streptococci and lactobacilli,
What is the role of microorganisms in dairy products
The streptococci and lactobacilli in the environment produce lactic acid form the lactose in milk. This is the basis for yogurts and development of cheeses
What role do microorganisms play in the production of alcohol
Yeasts present in the environment ferment the sugar in honey to create ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
How do microorganisms help fuel production
With the help from Microorganisms we can break down waste products to produce biogas, when micro organisms respire they give off a flammable gas called methane that can be used for cooking and lighting
What is the role of microorganisms in the soil
Plants are out basic food supply and produce the air we breathe. Plants are dependent on the many microbes that exist in the soil, degrading organic matter, recycling nitrogen and carbon, and producing new soil in forms plants can use directly
What is the role of micro organisms in the digestive system
There are good bacteria living in the human intestine. They help to protect you from bad bacteria that could cause diarrhea and stomach upsets.
What is the micro biome
The micro biome are ecological communities of commensal, symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms
What organisms make up the micro biome
Bacteria, Archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses
