Questions and Answers
What distinguishes viruses from living organisms?
Which part of a virus is primarily responsible for protecting its genetic material?
Which virus is known to infect the human host?
What type of genome does the Ebola virus possess?
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How do viruses typically enter host cells?
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What is the capsid structure of the lambda phage virus?
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What characteristic do all viruses share?
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What is the typical size range of viruses?
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Study Notes
Structure of Viruses
- Viruses are biological entities, distinct from living cells and organisms, characterized by a nucleic acid genome.
- Viruses invade host cells to reproduce, often multiplying before the host immune system recognizes and responds to the infection.
- Lacking cell organelles, viruses do not possess a nucleus, ribosomes, or any membrane-bound structures.
- Every virus has a genome, which can include variations of DNA or RNA with up to 8 different genome types.
- The protein coat, known as the capsid, encapsulates the viral genome, offering protection against environmental factors. Some viruses also feature a lipid envelope with glycoproteins.
- Attachment proteins on the capsid's surface facilitate binding to host cells, crucial for viral infection.
- Viruses are extremely small, typically in the nanometer range, making them smaller than the smallest prokaryotic cells.
Classification of Viruses
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All viruses possess a capsid and a nucleic acid core, which serve as primary criteria for classification.
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Lambda phage virus
- Hosts E. coli as its infective target.
- Features a prolate capsid structure.
- Contains double-stranded DNA.
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Tobacco mosaic virus
- Infects plants.
- Exhibits a helical capsid structure.
- Composed of single-stranded RNA.
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Ebola virus
- Infects humans.
- Has a helical capsid structure.
- Contains single-stranded RNA.
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HIV
- Primarily infects humans.
- Displays a fullerene or cone-shaped capsid structure.
- Contains single-stranded RNA.
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Description
Explore the unique structure and characteristics of viruses in this quiz. Learn about their composition, replication process, and how they invade host cells. Test your understanding of these biological entities that differ significantly from living organisms.
