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Questions and Answers
What is a defining characteristic of viruses?
What is a defining characteristic of viruses?
- They have complex cellular organelles.
- They are obligate intracellular pathogens. (correct)
- They can replicate independently of host cells.
- They are visible with a light microscope.
Which component of a virus is responsible for providing protection and facilitating attachment?
Which component of a virus is responsible for providing protection and facilitating attachment?
- Nucleic acid
- Lipoprotein envelope (correct)
- Capsomeres
- Viral glycoproteins
Which of the following best describes the structure of a virus particle?
Which of the following best describes the structure of a virus particle?
- A complex of RNA, proteins, and carbohydrates.
- A single cellular organism with organelles.
- A nucleocapsid possibly surrounded by an envelope. (correct)
- A robust cell wall and a nucleus.
How are viruses classified?
How are viruses classified?
What type of viruses are not typically acquired by animals?
What type of viruses are not typically acquired by animals?
Which method is commonly used for cultivating animal viruses?
Which method is commonly used for cultivating animal viruses?
What type of nucleic acid can be found in viruses?
What type of nucleic acid can be found in viruses?
What characteristic makes viruses highly specific in their host interactions?
What characteristic makes viruses highly specific in their host interactions?
Which statement regarding the self-replication of viruses is correct?
Which statement regarding the self-replication of viruses is correct?
What is the size range of most viruses?
What is the size range of most viruses?
Flashcards
Virology
Virology
The study of viruses, a subfield of microbiology, focusing on their structure, function, and role in disease.
Viruses
Viruses
Obligate intracellular pathogenic agents that require living cells to replicate.
Virion
Virion
A complete virus particle, including the genome, capsid, and sometimes an envelope.
Capsid
Capsid
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Nucleocapsid
Nucleocapsid
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Envelope (Viral)
Envelope (Viral)
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Bacteriophages
Bacteriophages
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Plant Virus Propagation
Plant Virus Propagation
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Animal Virus Propagation
Animal Virus Propagation
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Study Notes
Overview of Virology
- Virology is the study of viruses and a subfield of microbiology.
- Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogenic agents that cannot grow outside living cells.
Characteristics of Viruses
- Size: Range from 10 to 400 nm; invisible to light microscopes but detectable with electron microscopes.
- Structure: Composed of a nucleic acid genome (DNA or RNA) and a protein coat; may have a lipoprotein envelope.
- Obligate Intracellular: Require living cells for replication, cannot be cultivated in artificial media.
- Self-Replication: Infect host cells and utilize the host's machinery to produce new virus particles.
- Specificity: Highly specific to host and cell type; e.g., plant viruses do not infect animals, and strains targeting one organ are often ineffective on another.
Propagation Methods
- Animal Viruses: Propagated using tissue cultures, chicken embryonated eggs, or experimental animals.
- Plant Viruses: Propagated in living plants or plant cell cultures.
- Bacteriophages: Cultured in bacterial cultures.
Virus Structure
- Virion: Complete virus particle consisting of a genome, capsid, and possibly an envelope.
- Genome: Can be DNA or RNA, arranged in linear, circular, or segmented forms; may be single or double-stranded.
- Capsid: Protein coat protecting the genome, made of capsomeres, with potential shapes including spherical, helical, or complex; plays a role in viral attachment and antigenicity.
- Nucleocapsid: Combined structure of nucleic acid and capsid.
- Envelope: Lipoprotein layer derived from host cell membranes, modified with viral glycoprotein spikes; more common in animal viruses than in plant viruses, important for attachment.
Virus Classification
- Viruses are classified based on:
- Morphology
- Nucleic acid type
- Mode of replication
- Host organism
- Type of disease caused
- Major categories include:
- Animal viruses
- Plant viruses
- Fungal viruses
- Bacterial viruses (Bacteriophages)
Viral Replication
- Entirely dependent on host cells for replication; replication strategies vary among virus types but generally follow a similar series of events.
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