06: An Introduction to Viruses, Viriods, and Prions Flashcards
Viruses in the Biological Spectrum
- Inactive macromolecules outside the host cell and active only inside host cells
- Basic structure consists of protein shell (capsid) surrounding nucleic acid core
- Nucleic acid of the viral genome is either DNA or RNA but not both
- Nucleic acid can be double-stranded DNA, single-stranded DNA, single-stranded RNA, or double-stranded RNA
- Molecules on virus surface impart high specificity for attachment to host cell
General Size of Viruses
- Megaviruses
- Pandaviruses
Viral Structure
- Viruses bear no resemblance to cells
- Lack protein-synthesizing machinery
- Viruses contain only the parts needed to invade and control a host cell
- Virus particle
- Covering
- Capsid
- Envelope (not found in all viruses)
- Central core
- Nucleic acid molecule(s) (DNA or RNA)
- Matrix proteins Enzymes (not found in all viruses)
Capsids
- protein coats that enclose and protect their nucleic acid
- All viruses
- Nucleocapsid
- capsid together with the nucleic acid
- Envelope
- Some viruses have an external covering
- those lacking an envelope are naked
- Capsomers
- Each capsid is made of identical protein subunits
Naked Nucleocapsid Virus
Enveloped Virus
- Protects the nucleic acid when the virus is outside of the host cell
- Helps the virus bind to a cell surface and assists the penetration of the viral DNA or RNA into a suitable host cell

Poxviruses
- Complex
- Atypical
- Lack a typical capsid
- Covered by a dense layer of lipoproteins
Bacteriophages
- polyhedral nucleocapsid along with a helical tail and attached fibers
Complex Viruses
- poxvirus
- large DNA virus
- flexible-tailed bacteriophage
Enveloped Viruses
- With a helical nucleocapsid
- mumps virus
- rhabdovirus
- with an icosahedral nucleocapsid
- herpes virus
- HIV (AIDS)
Naked Viruses
- Helical capsid
- plum poxvirus
- Icosahedral capsid
- poliovirus
- papillomavirus
How would you describe this virus?
A. Helical and Naked
B. Icosahedral and Naked
C. Complex and Naked
D. Helical and Enveloped
E. Icosahedral and Enveloped
F. Complex and Enveloped
E. Icosahedral and Enveloped
Viral Genome
- Either DNA or RNA
- but never both
- Carries genes necessary to invade host cell and redirect cell’s activity to make new viruses
- Number of genes varies for each type of virus
- few to hundreds
DNA Viruses
- Usually double stranded (ds)
- but may be single stranded (ss)
- Circular or linear
RNA Viruses
- Usually single stranded
- may be double stranded
- may be segmented into separate RNA pieces
- ssRNA genomes ready for immediate translation
- positive-sense RNA
- •ssRNA genomes that must be converted into proper form
- negative-sense RNA
Pre-formed enzymes required for viral replication
- Polymerases
- synthesize DNA or RNA
- Replicases
- copy RNA
- Reverse transcriptase
- synthesis of DNA from RNA (HIV virus)
Modes of Viral Multiplication
- Adsorption
- Penetration
- Uncoating
- Synthesis
- Assembly
- Release
Adsorption
binding of virus to specific molecules on the host cell
Penetration
Genome enters the host cell
Uncoating
Viral nucleic acid is released from the capsid
Synthesis
Viral components are produced
Assembly
New viral particles are constructed
Release
Assembled viruses are released by budding (exocytosis) or cell lysis
Host Range
- Spectrum of cells a virus can infect
- Virus coincidentally collides with a susceptible host cell
- adsorbs specifically to receptor sites on the membrane
- Hepatitis B
- human liver cells
- Poliovirus
- primate intestinal and nerve cells
- Rabies
- various cells of many mammals
- Hepatitis B
Viruses commonly contain both DNA and RNA
A. True
B. False
B. False