Module Four, Lecture Thirty Two Flashcards
Viruses; Composition, Infection and Replication (17 cards)
What is a virus?
Acellular microorganism that cannot survive without a host
What is the composition of a virus? ( 3 )
- Genetic Material ( DNA or RNA )
- Capsid ( Protein coating that surrounds the genetic material )
- Envelope of lipids ( Surrounds the protein coat when outside a cell )
What is a Viral Capsid?
Multiple units of the same protein building block ( Capsomeres )
What is a Capsomere?
A subunit of the capsid arranged in a highly repetitive pattern around the nucleic acid
What type of symmetry can capsomeres be arranged in? ( 3 )
- Helical
- Icosahedral
- Complex
How big are viruses?
20 - 400 nm
What shapes can viruses appear in? ( 4 )
- Spherical
- Rod-Shaped
- Helical
- Complex
What are the key features of a virus? ( 4 )
- Genetic Material
- Capsid
- Envelope
- Spikes
What is a Viral Genomes?
It is the genetic material of a virus packaged within a capsid
What do viruses infect?
Any cell type e.g Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic
What is an organism that a virus infects called?
Host Organism
What is an organism that a virus multiples in called?
Host Cell
What is a Bacteriophage?
It is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria
What are the five stages of the Lytic Cycle?
- Attachment
- Penetrate / Entry
- Replication and Transcription
- Assembly
- Lysis / Release
What does SARS-CoV-2 stand for?
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
What is the purpose of a spike on a virus?
Critical for attachment and cell entry
How do vaccines combat viruses?
Vaccines target the spike, limiting their ability to attach to a receptor protein
