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Questions and Answers
Reoviruses are enveloped viruses with a helical shape.
Reoviruses are enveloped viruses with a helical shape.
False
The Hepatitis E virus belongs to the Hepe.virus family, which is uneveloped.
The Hepatitis E virus belongs to the Hepe.virus family, which is uneveloped.
True
Retro.viruses have the unique ability to turn viral RNA into DNA.
Retro.viruses have the unique ability to turn viral RNA into DNA.
True
All viruses listed under Calici.viruses are enveloped.
All viruses listed under Calici.viruses are enveloped.
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Ebola is classified under Rhabdo.viruses.
Ebola is classified under Rhabdo.viruses.
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Corona.viruses and Orthomyxo.viruses share the same type of nucleic acid.
Corona.viruses and Orthomyxo.viruses share the same type of nucleic acid.
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Rubella is a notable virus associated with Matona.virus.
Rubella is a notable virus associated with Matona.virus.
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Picorna.viruses are enveloped viruses that can cause aseptic meningitis.
Picorna.viruses are enveloped viruses that can cause aseptic meningitis.
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West Nile virus is part of the Flavi.viruses family.
West Nile virus is part of the Flavi.viruses family.
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Arena.viruses have a circular nucleic acid structure and are known to be spread by rodents.
Arena.viruses have a circular nucleic acid structure and are known to be spread by rodents.
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Flavi.viruses are known to have a helical shape.
Flavi.viruses are known to have a helical shape.
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Hepatitis C Virus is classified under Filo.viruses.
Hepatitis C Virus is classified under Filo.viruses.
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The shape of Paramyxo.viruses is helical.
The shape of Paramyxo.viruses is helical.
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Rabies is a notable virus associated with Paramyxo.viruses.
Rabies is a notable virus associated with Paramyxo.viruses.
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Rotavirus is part of the Reoviruses family and can lead to fatal diarrhea in children.
Rotavirus is part of the Reoviruses family and can lead to fatal diarrhea in children.
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Norovirus is known to cause hepatitis.
Norovirus is known to cause hepatitis.
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Ebola is classified as a Filovirus and is often fatal.
Ebola is classified as a Filovirus and is often fatal.
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COVID-19 is a result of infection from Rhabdo.viruses.
COVID-19 is a result of infection from Rhabdo.viruses.
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Chikungunya virus is a notable virus belonging to Toga.viruses.
Chikungunya virus is a notable virus belonging to Toga.viruses.
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The nucleic acid type of Orthomyxo.viruses is Single Stranded Linear.
The nucleic acid type of Orthomyxo.viruses is Single Stranded Linear.
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Study Notes
Virus Family Classification
- Reoviruses: Not enveloped, contain double-stranded linear segmented RNA. They have an icosahedral (double) shape. Rotavirus is a notable example and a significant cause of diarrhea in young children. It can be fatal.
- Picornaviruses: Unenveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA. The shape is icosahedral. Notable viruses include Poliovirus, Echovirus, and Coxsackievirus. The Poliovirus has vaccines (IPV and OPV), while Echovirus is associated with the common cold and aseptic meningitis. Coxsackievirus causes mouth blisters, fever, hand, foot, and mouth disease, aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and acute viral hepatitis.
- Hepeviruses: Unenveloped viruses with a single-stranded linear RNA, and an icosahedral shape. The Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a notable member.
- Caliciviruses: Unenveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA and an icosahedral shape. Norovirus is a prominent member and the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis.
- Flaviviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA. Their shape is icosahedral. They include West Nile virus (causing meningoencephalitis and acute asymmetric flaccid paralysis), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Dengue fever, Yellow fever, and Zika virus.
- Togaviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA and an icosahedral shape. Notable examples include Chikungunya virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, and Rubella (previously classified as a togavirus).
- Matonavirus: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA and an icosahedral shape. They specifically include Rubella.
- Retroviruses: Enveloped viruses with, single-stranded linear RNA and an icosahedral shape. Human T-cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV) belongs to this category and is linked to certain types of T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. A notable characteristic of retroviruses is the presence of reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that can convert viral RNA into DNA - this is a hallmark of this specific family.
- Coronaviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA. Their shape is helical. Notable examples include the viruses causing the ‘common cold`, SARS, MERS, and COVID-19.
- Orthomyxoviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear segmented RNA and a helical shape. They are commonly known as Influenza viruses.
- Paramyxoviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA. Their shape is helical. They include Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - a common cause of bronchiolitis in babies - Parainfluenza (causing croup), Measles, and Mumps.
- Rhabdoviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA, helical shape. They include Rabies.
- Filoviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded linear RNA and a helical shape. The viral family includes Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF) - often fatal, and Ebola.
- Arenaviruses: Enveloped viruses with single-stranded circular segmented RNA. Their shape is helical. They include Lymphocytic choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV), Lassa fever, and encephalitis. Arenaviruses are typically spread by rodents.
Virus Classification: Key Features
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Reoviruses:
- Uneveloped, Double-shelled Icosahedral Shape: Lack an outer membrane, giving them a distinct, double-layered protein shell.
- Segmented Double-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is divided into multiple segments of double-stranded RNA.
- Notable Representative: Rotavirus, a major cause of diarrhea in infants and young children, potentially life-threatening.
Common Viral Families and Their Notable Members
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Picornaviruses:
- Uneveloped Icosahedral Shape: Lack an outer membrane, featuring a spherical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
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Key Members:
- Poliovirus: Eradicated in many countries thanks to effective vaccines (Salk - Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), Sabin - Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV)).
- Echovirus: Frequently associated with the common cold, but can also cause aseptic meningitis.
- Coxsackievirus: Manifests with varied symptoms, including mouth blisters, fever, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, pericarditis, and acute viral hepatitis.
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Caliciviruses:
- Uneveloped Icosahedral Shape: Lack an outer membrane, with a spherical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
- Notable Member: Norovirus, a common cause of viral gastroenteritis, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
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Flaviviruses:
- Enveloped Icosahedral Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a spherical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
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Significant Representatives:
- West Nile virus: Can cause neurological complications like meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges) and acute asymmetric flaccid paralysis (weakness in one side of the body).
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): A major cause of chronic liver disease, potentially leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Dengue fever, Yellow fever, and Zika virus: All are mosquito-borne viruses that can cause a range of symptoms from mild fever to severe complications like hemorrhagic fever.
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Toga.viruses:
- Enveloped Icosahedral Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a spherical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
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Notable Representatives:
- Chikungunya virus: Can be co-infected with dengue virus, causing complications.
- Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis: Primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, can cause inflammation of the brain.
- Rubella (formerly a togavirus): A viral infection that can cause birth defects.
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Retroviruses:
- Enveloped Icosahedral Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a spherical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
- Significant Feature: Possess reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that allows them to convert their RNA genome into DNA, integrating it into the host's DNA.
- Key Member: Human T-cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV), implicated in developing certain types of T-cell leukemia and lymphoma.
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Coronaviruses:
- Enveloped Helical Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a cylindrical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
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Notable Representatives:
- "Common cold" viruses: Cause a range of respiratory symptoms.
- SARS, MERS, and COVID-19: All are highly contagious viruses capable of causing severe respiratory illness.
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Orthomyxoviruses:
- Enveloped Helical Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a cylindrical protein shell.
- Segmented Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is divided into multiple segments of single-stranded RNA.
- Key Member: Influenza virus (influenza), responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks, causing respiratory illness.
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Paramyxoviruses:
- Enveloped Helical Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a cylindrical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
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Significant Representatives:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Primarily affects young children, causing bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs).
- Parainfluenza: A common cause of croup, a respiratory illness that affects the larynx (voice box).
- Measles and Mumps: Highly contagious viral infections that cause characteristic rashes and other symptoms.
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Rhabdoviruses:
- Enveloped Helical Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a cylindrical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
- Key Member: Rabies virus, a potentially fatal neurotropic virus spread by infected animals, primarily through bites and scratches.
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Filoviruses:
- Enveloped Helical Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a cylindrical protein shell.
- Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is linear and single-stranded.
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Notable Representatives:
- Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF): A highly contagious virus that can cause severe hemorrhagic fever, often fatal.
- Ebola: Another highly contagious virus known for causing hemorrhagic fever and multiple organ system failure, often fatal.
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Arenaviruses:
- Enveloped Helical Shape: Possesses an outer membrane, encasing a cylindrical protein shell.
- Segmented Single-stranded RNA Genome: Their genetic material is divided into multiple segments of single-stranded RNA, often circular.
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Significant Representatives:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV): Can cause a range of diseases, including meningitis and encephalitis.
- Lassa fever: A viral hemorrhagic fever prevalent in West Africa, spread by rodents.
- Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, can be caused by arenaviruses.
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Description
Test your knowledge on different families of viruses including Reoviruses, Picornaviruses, Hepeviruses, and Caliciviruses. This quiz covers their structures, notable examples, and associated diseases. Perfect for students studying microbiology or virology.
