Virus Flashcards
(19 cards)
Virus
An infectious agent with a protein coat and a nucleic acid core; can only replicate inside a host cell.
Capsid
Protein coat that surrounds the virus’s genetic material.
Viral Envelope
Outer protective layer made of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates; found in some viruses.
Lytic Cycle
Viral cycle where the virus replicates immediately, causing the host cell to burst (lyse).
Lysogenic Cycle
Viral DNA integrates into the host DNA and stays dormant until activated.
Bacteriophage
A virus that infects only bacteria.
Retrovirus
Virus that uses reverse transcriptase to make DNA from its RNA (e.g., HIV).
Prion
Misfolded protein that causes disease in animals (e.g., mad cow disease).
Oncogenic Virus
A virus that can cause cancer (e.g., HPV, Epstein-Barr virus).
Smallpox Inoculation (1777)
Gen. Washington ordered mass inoculation to protect troops, even though it was risky and controversial.
Variola
The virus used in early smallpox inoculation, a less deadly strain than natural smallpox.
Ebola Virus
A deadly virus that causes hemorrhagic fever; RNA-based and enveloped.
Hantavirus
Enveloped RNA virus that causes severe respiratory illness.
HIV
A retrovirus that causes AIDS by attacking immune cells.
Coronavirus
A family of viruses that can jump from animals to humans; includes SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.
COVID-19
Caused by SARS-CoV-2; emerged in 2019 in Wuhan; spreads human-to-human via respiratory droplets.
Common COVID-19 Symptoms
Fever, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose.
Reverse Transcriptase
Enzyme in retroviruses that converts RNA into DNA inside the host cell.
Species Barrier
Natural limit preventing viruses from jumping between different species.
