Lecture 7: Genetics of Viruses & Bacteria
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Viruses are classed as non-living because they do not carry out ___.

metabolism

The largest known viruses are called ____, measuring 400 nanometers in diameter.

mimiviruses

The smallest known viruses are ____ that measure 20 nanometers in diameter.

circoviruses

The protein shell of a virus is called a ___.

<p>capsid</p> Signup and view all the answers

One step in the viral reproductive cycle is ____, where the viral genome enters the host cell.

<p>Entry</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process of ____ involves the release of new viruses from the host cell.

<p>Release</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viruses can have a broad or narrow host ____, which determines which organisms they can infect.

<p>range</p> Signup and view all the answers

The viral component that integrates into the host genome carries the enzyme ____.

<p>integrase</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viruses are classified as 'non-living' because they do not have the ability to carry out ___.

<p>metabolism</p> Signup and view all the answers

The viral genetic material can either be ___ or RNA.

<p>DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

The process of viral infection involves several steps, including attachment, entry, integration, synthesis, assembly, and ___.

<p>release</p> Signup and view all the answers

Bacteria can acquire ___ resistance through various mechanisms, posing a challenge in clinical settings.

<p>antibiotic</p> Signup and view all the answers

The viral assembly may occur spontaneously or may require additional ___ for help.

<p>proteins</p> Signup and view all the answers

Viruses are considered obligate ___ because they can only replicate inside a host cell.

<p>parasites</p> Signup and view all the answers

The host range of a virus describes the different types of ___ that the virus can infect.

<p>organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

The two stages of bacteriophage life cycles are the lytic cycle and the ___ cycle.

<p>lysogenic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true for all viruses?

<p>They are not composed of cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes mimiviruses from other viruses?

<p>They possess a larger genome and size.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in the evolution of bacteria?

<p>A high mutation rate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which step is part of the viral reproductive cycle?

<p>Binding to the host cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the typical size of circoviruses?

<p>20 nanometers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which option accurately refers to how viruses infect eukaryotic cells?

<p>By being specific to certain tissues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does integrase play in a viral life cycle?

<p>It facilitates the integration of viral genome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason antibiotic resistance is a concern in bacteria?

<p>Bacteria can acquire resistance through genetic changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes significantly to the evolution of bacteria?

<p>High mutation rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism do viruses use to enter host cells during infection?

<p>Endocytosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the enzyme integrase in some viruses?

<p>Integration of viral genome into host DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of virus is characterized by its ability to cause a broad range of infections across different species?

<p>Broad host range viruses</p> Signup and view all the answers

What biological structure aids in the assembly of new viruses within a host cell?

<p>Capsomeres</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about viruses is incorrect?

<p>Viruses can reproduce independently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of viral reproduction, what does the term 'lysis' refer to?

<p>Release of new viruses through cell rupture</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes a characteristic of mimiviruses compared to other viruses?

<p>They have a larger genome and size than most viruses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily drives the evolution of bacteria?

<p>High mutation rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method through which a virus typically gains entry into a host cell?

<p>Attachment and fusion</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a virus with a narrow host range?

<p>It infects only specific tissue types</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is responsible for packaging the viral genome?

<p>Capsomeres</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is involved in the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage?

<p>Virion assembly</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do bacteria primarily acquire antibiotic resistance?

<p>Horizontal gene transfer</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the influenza virus?

<p>It can infect the lungs</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process describes the release of new viruses from a host cell through cell rupture?

<p>Lysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the HIV life cycle?

<p>Binding</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which phase is the HIV RNA converted into DNA?

<p>Reverse Transcription</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs immediately after the reverse transcription step in the HIV life cycle?

<p>Integration</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is primarily responsible for the release of new viruses in the HIV life cycle?

<p>Budding</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is synthesized during the transcription and translation phase of the HIV life cycle?

<p>Viral components</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of the HIV life cycle is the genetic material of the virus integrated into the host cell's DNA?

<p>Integration</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the reverse transcription step in the HIV life cycle?

<p>To convert viral RNA into DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is typically employed by HIV to exit the host cell once new viruses are assembled?

<p>Budding</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the HIV life cycle, what is the first event that allows the virus to begin the infection process?

<p>Binding to CD4 and co-receptors</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the new virus particles primarily composed of during the assembly phase of the HIV life cycle?

<p>Viral components synthesized during transcription and translation</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of the HIV life cycle is the synthesis of viral components carried out?

<p>Transcription and translation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture 7: The Genetics of Viruses & Bacteria

  • Viruses: Non-living particles composed of nucleic acid and protein.
  • Viruses are obligate parasites.
  • Viruses don't carry out metabolism, use energy, maintain homeostasis, or reproduce independently.
  • Mimiviruses: Largest known viruses, measuring 400 nanometers in diameter and containing over 900 proteins encoded by 1,200,000 nucleotides.
  • Circoviruses: Smallest known viruses, measuring 20 nanometers in diameter, with a genome of 1,700 nucleotides encoding two proteins.
  • Viral Structure:
    • Genome: DNA or RNA
    • Capsid: Protein shell, rod-shaped or polyhedral.
    • Capsomeres: Protein subunits forming the capsid.
  • HIV: A virus that destroys the immune system by invading and killing T-cells (CD4).
    • Transmitted through blood, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
    • Estimated 40 million people worldwide live with HIV/AIDS.
    • Estimated 2.1 million new infections in 2019.
    • An estimated 103,800 people are living with HIV in the UK in 2019.
  • HIV Life Cycle:
    • Binding: HIV binds to CD4 and co-receptors on a T-cell.
    • Fusion: The virus fuses with the host cell membrane.
    • Reverse Transcription: The single-stranded HIV RNA is converted into double-stranded HIV DNA.
    • Integration: HIV DNA is inserted into the host cell's DNA.
    • Transcription and Translation: The synthesis of viral components.
    • Assembly: Formation of new virus particles.
    • Release: New viruses are released, typically by lysis or budding.
    • Opportunistic Infections in AIDS: Infections taking advantage of a weakened immune system. Examples include Cryptococcal meningitis, Toxo (toxoplasmosis), CMV (cytomegalovirus), and more.
  • Bacterial reproduction and mutation: Bacteria reproduce through binary fission, where a cell divides into two daughter cells.
    • Mutations can occur in bacteria, leading to antibiotic resistance.
      • Mutation rate is low, but high rate of replication produces many bacteria with mutations, some resistant to antibiotics.
  • Bacteria:
    • Diverse species
    • High mutation rate drives evolution
    • Acquire antibiotic resistance
    • Important clinical cases
  • Horizontal Gene Transfer: transfer of genetic material between bacteria.
    • Transformation: Uptake of genetic material from the environment
    • Transduction: Transfer by a bacteriophage
    • Conjugation: Direct transfer via a sex pilus
  • Antibiotic Resistance: Intrinsic (inherent) or acquired (develops over time) resistance.
    • Mechanisms to make bacteria resistant:
      • Mutation, horizontal gene transfer, pump antibiotics out of the cell
  • Clinical Importance of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria :
    • At least 2 million people infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria
    • At least 23,000 deaths annually due to these infections
    • Further complications from resistant infection

Vaccines

  • Vaccines contain a harmless variant or derivative of a pathogen to stimulate the immune system.
  • Vaccines help prevent infections but don't always cure them once they occur.
  • Edward Jenner was an important contributor to the development of vaccines.
    • Conducted successful early vaccination experiment

Host Range

  • Viruses can have a broad or narrow host range.
  • Viral infection within eukaryotes are sometimes limited to specific tissues.

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Description

This quiz dives into the fascinating world of viruses and bacteria, detailing their structure, replication, and role as obligate parasites. Learn about different types of viruses, including the largest mimiviruses and smallest circoviruses, along with the critical impact of viruses like HIV. Test your knowledge of viral genetics and transmission in this engaging quiz.

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