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Questions and Answers
What are the main components that make up a virus?
What are the main components that make up a virus?
Viruses are primarily made of nucleic acids, proteins, and sometimes lipids.
What is the significance of the capsid in the structure of a virus?
What is the significance of the capsid in the structure of a virus?
The capsid protects the viral nucleic acid and aids in the virus's ability to infect host cells.
How do viruses differ from living organisms regarding reproduction?
How do viruses differ from living organisms regarding reproduction?
Viruses cannot reproduce on their own and require a host cell to replicate.
What types of nucleic acid can be found in viruses?
What types of nucleic acid can be found in viruses?
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What is the role of the outer lipid envelope in some viruses?
What is the role of the outer lipid envelope in some viruses?
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In what ways are viral genomes unique compared to cellular genomes?
In what ways are viral genomes unique compared to cellular genomes?
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What does it mean for a virus to be classified as acellular?
What does it mean for a virus to be classified as acellular?
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How do viruses obtain energy since they are considered nonliving?
How do viruses obtain energy since they are considered nonliving?
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What distinguishes cellular microorganisms from acellular infectious particles?
What distinguishes cellular microorganisms from acellular infectious particles?
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Can viruses be classified as living organisms? Why or why not?
Can viruses be classified as living organisms? Why or why not?
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What are the two domains of prokaryotes?
What are the two domains of prokaryotes?
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What size can viruses typically only be seen with?
What size can viruses typically only be seen with?
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What domain do eukaryotic cells belong to?
What domain do eukaryotic cells belong to?
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What is one key feature that differentiates viruses from the other types of cellular organisms?
What is one key feature that differentiates viruses from the other types of cellular organisms?
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Which microscope is required to view viruses due to their size?
Which microscope is required to view viruses due to their size?
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What is meant by the term 'acellular infectious particles'?
What is meant by the term 'acellular infectious particles'?
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What is the primary function of the viral capsid?
What is the primary function of the viral capsid?
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What are capsomeres?
What are capsomeres?
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What macromolecule primarily composes the viral envelope?
What macromolecule primarily composes the viral envelope?
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How do envelope proteins and glycoproteins assist a virus?
How do envelope proteins and glycoproteins assist a virus?
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What distinguishes a naked virus from an enveloped virus?
What distinguishes a naked virus from an enveloped virus?
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Can viruses have multiple types of capsomeres in their capsid?
Can viruses have multiple types of capsomeres in their capsid?
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What is a helical virus structure?
What is a helical virus structure?
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Name one function of the viral envelope obtained from the host cell.
Name one function of the viral envelope obtained from the host cell.
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Flashcards
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What are viruses?
What are viruses?
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What are the two main categories of microorganisms?
What are the two main categories of microorganisms?
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Examples of cellular microorganisms
Examples of cellular microorganisms
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Acellular infectious particles
Acellular infectious particles
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What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
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Why are viruses not considered living organisms?
Why are viruses not considered living organisms?
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Virus structure
Virus structure
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How are viruses classified?
How are viruses classified?
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Viral Genome
Viral Genome
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Virus Reproduction
Virus Reproduction
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Why are viruses different from cells?
Why are viruses different from cells?
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What are viruses made of?
What are viruses made of?
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How do scientists categorize viruses?
How do scientists categorize viruses?
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Viral Capsid
Viral Capsid
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Capsomeres
Capsomeres
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Viral Envelope
Viral Envelope
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Viral Envelope Composition
Viral Envelope Composition
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Viral Glycoproteins (Spikes)
Viral Glycoproteins (Spikes)
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Naked Virus
Naked Virus
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Helical Capsid
Helical Capsid
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Polyhedral Capsid
Polyhedral Capsid
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Study Notes
Viral Structure
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Viruses are composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protective protein coat called a capsid.
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Capsid provides structure and protection for the viral genome, allowing viruses to survive outside of a host cell.
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The capsid is made up of individual protein subunits called capsomeres
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Some viruses possess an **outer ** lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane during viral assembly.
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Envelope proteins and glycoproteins embedded in the envelope facilitate viral attachment to host cells and immune evasion.
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Naked viruses lack an envelope and are therefore more resistant to environmental factors.
Viral Reproduction
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Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they cannot reproduce independently and require a host cell for replication.
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Viral replication involves various stages:
- Attachment to host cells
- Entry into host cells
- Replication of the viral genome
- Assembly of new viral particles
- Egress or release of newly formed viruses.
Viral Genome
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Viral genomes can be DNA or RNA.
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Viral DNA can be single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds).
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Viral RNA can be ss or ds and may be further categorized as positive-sense or negative-sense.
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Positive-sense RNA can directly serve as mRNA for protein synthesis.
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Negative-sense RNA requires transcription into a complementary strand before protein synthesis can occur.
Viral Classification
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Viruses are acellular infectious particles meaning they lack the features of a living cell such as organelles, cytoplasm, or a plasma membrane.
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Viruses are not classified as living organisms because they cannot reproduce independently, lack cellular structures, and cannot carry out metabolism.
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They are classified as non-living entities.
Cellular vs Acellular Organisms
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Cellular microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes) are defined by their cellular structure.
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Acellular infectious particles (viruses, viroids, and prions) lack cellular structures and are considered non-living.
Domains of Prokaryotes
- The two domains of prokaryotes are Bacteria and Archaea.
Microscope Required to View Viruses
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Viruses are generally too small to be seen with a light microscope.
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Electron microscopes are required to visualize viruses.
Key Features Differentiating Viruses
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The lack of cellular structures defines viruses as acellular infectious particles.
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Their unique replication strategy of relying on host cells for reproduction contributes to their categorization as non-living entities.
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Description
Explore the fundamental structure of viruses in this quiz. Learn how viruses differ from living organisms and their unique characteristics. This quiz presents key concepts that will enhance your understanding of virology.