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Questions and Answers
What is the outermost layer of some viruses?
What is the process by which a virus releases its genetic material from the protein coat?
Which type of virus converts RNA to DNA using reverse transcriptase?
What is the mechanism by which viruses can evade the host immune response?
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What is the process by which a virus binds to the host cell surface?
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What is the process by which new viral particles are assembled?
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Study Notes
Structure and Composition
- Viruses consist of:
- Genetic material (DNA or RNA)
- Protein coat (capsid)
- Lipid envelope (in some viruses)
- Viruses can be classified based on their shape, size, and composition
Types of Viruses
-
DNA Viruses:
- Replicate using host cell's DNA replication machinery
- Examples: herpesviruses, adenoviruses, papovaviruses
-
RNA Viruses:
- Replicate using RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
- Examples: influenza, HIV, coronaviruses
-
Retroviruses:
- Convert RNA to DNA using reverse transcriptase
- Examples: HIV, HTLV
Replication Cycle
- Attachment: Virus binds to host cell surface
- Penetration: Virus enters host cell through endocytosis or membrane fusion
- Uncoating: Virus releases genetic material from protein coat
- Transcription: Genetic material is transcribed into mRNA
- Translation: mRNA is translated into protein
- Assembly: New viral particles are assembled
- Release: Viruses are released from host cell through lysis or budding
Host-Virus Interactions
- Immune Response: Host immune system recognizes and responds to viral infection
- Evasion: Viruses can evade immune response through mechanisms such as antigenic variation and immune suppression
- Latency: Viruses can remain dormant in host cells, reactivating later
Viral Transmission and Epidemiology
- Transmission: Viruses can be spread through direct contact, airborne transmission, or vectors (e.g. insects)
- Epidemiology: Study of virus transmission and spread in populations
- Outbreaks: Sudden increases in viral infections in a population
- Pandemics: Global outbreaks of viral infections
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Description
Test your knowledge of viruses, including their structure, classification, replication cycle, host-virus interactions, and transmission. Learn about DNA and RNA viruses, retroviruses, and more.
