Viruses the basics Flashcards
What is a virus?
micro organism that needs a host to survive because they are unable to reproduce themselves and have to multiply inside a host’s cell using its genetic material
why do Viruses need a host to survive
they are unable to reproduce themselves and have to multiply inside a host’s cell using its genetic material
why is hard for Micro Biologists to classify if Viruses are living or non living?
they don’t directly use energy
they cannot actively maintain their structure
cannot eat, respire ,reproduce or excrete
but they have the same nucleic acids as living organisms
Basic structure
come in different shapes and sizes
must include a nucleic acid and a protein capsid
the inner core of a virus has
either RNA or DNA but not both
example of RNA that a Virus contains
HIV which causes acquired immune deficiency
the Nuclei acid of the Virus
its surrounded by a outer protein coat or capsule
the function of the protein capsule that covers the Nuclei membrane
protects the viral genetic material
what organelles don’t have ?
the cytoplasm and the membrane bound organelles
characteristics
they are not made up of cells
can only be seen by an electron microscope
have different shapes and sizes
cannot reproduce unless they invade a host cell
most of them are pathogens
Why are they described as being parasitic
they are unable to reproduce themselves unless they invade a hosts cell using their genetic material
