What Makes Viruses Effective?

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of viruses that makes them 'robot hackers' of microbiology?

Their small size (correct)

Their ability to photosynthesize

Their ability to move on their own

Their ability to reproduce

How do the sizes of viruses compare to bacteria?

Viruses are the same size as bacteria

Viruses are 100 times smaller than bacteria (correct)

Viruses are 10 times larger than bacteria

Viruses are 100 times larger than bacteria

What is a way to tell different viruses apart?

Their ability to move on their own

Their shape and size (correct)

Their ability to reproduce

Their ability to photosynthesize

What is the purpose of a virus's capsid?

To protect the virus's genetic material Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the shape of all viruses?

They are all very unique shapes Signup and view all the answers

How do the sizes of viruses compare to eukaryotic cells?

Viruses are 1000 times smaller than eukaryotic cells Signup and view all the answers

Why are viruses able to be 'robot hackers' of microbiology?

Because they are able to enter and control host cells Signup and view all the answers

What determines the shape of a virus?

The protein code, or capsid Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of capsomers in virus formation?

To form the shape of the virus Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the three-dimensional shape formed by the arrangement of capsomers in some viruses?

Icosahedral configuration Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the protein coat that surrounds the genetic material of a virus?

Capsid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of nucleic acid is not typically found in human cells?

Single-stranded DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the combination of the capsid and the genetic material of a virus?

Nucleocapsid Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a way to distinguish one virus from another?

Host range Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the envelope in some viruses?

To give the virus an advantage in infecting host cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the helical shape formed by the arrangement of capsomers in some viruses?

Helical shape Signup and view all the answers

How many types of nucleic acid can a virus contain?

One Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the capsomers in forming the shape of a virus?

To provide structural support Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why viruses are considered 'robot hackers' in biology?

They need to take over a cell to survive Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe viruses that need to be inside a cell to survive?

Obligate intracellular parasite Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between bacteriophages and viruses that infect eukaryotic cells?

Their size and shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tail in a bacteriophage?

To attach to the host bacteria Signup and view all the answers

How do viruses take advantage of host cells?

By using the host cell's receptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of viruses that makes them different from living things?

Their lack of organelles Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe viruses that infect bacteria?

Bacteriophage Signup and view all the answers

How do viruses get into host cells?

By using the host cell's receptors Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the sheath in a bacteriophage?

To act as a needle Signup and view all the answers

Why do viruses need to be highly adapted to their host cells?

To get into the host cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of receptors in the context of viral cells?

To signal the formation of a pit and eventually bud off into an endosome Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when a virus enters a cell through receptors?

Receptor-mediated endocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the gray envelope around some viral cells?

To provide an additional mechanism for receptor-mediated endocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the viral cell after it signals to the receptors?

It forms a pit and eventually buds off into an endosome Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process of a virus entering a cell directly through the membrane?

Direct fusion Signup and view all the answers

Why are viruses referred to as 'robot hackers' of the microbiology world?

Because they can enter cells through multiple mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the membrane in the process of direct fusion?

It fuses directly with the viral cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the final result of receptor-mediated endocytosis?

The viral cell is trapped inside the endosome Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Viruses: The Robot Hackers of Microbiology

Viruses are extremely small, with sizes compared to bacteria and human cells:
- Viruses are 100 times smaller than bacteria
- Eukaryotic cells (like human cells) are 1000 times larger than viruses

Size and Shape of Viruses

Viruses come in different sizes, ranging from super small to small
Viruses have unique shapes, determined by their capsid, which is made up of capsomers
Three common shapes of viruses:
- Icosahedral configuration (six-pointed, three-dimensional shape)
- Helical shape (formed by wrapping monomers around a central axis)
- Spherical shape (envelope-covered viruses)

Nucleic Acid in Viruses

Viruses contain one type of nucleic acid, which is unique to them:
- Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)
- Single-stranded RNA (ssRNA)
- Double-stranded DNA (dsDNA)
- Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)
Nucleic acid is packaged inside the protein coat (capsid) to form a nucleocapsid

How Viruses Replicate

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they need to be inside a host cell to replicate
Viruses "hack" into host cells, taking over their machinery to replicate themselves
Viruses are incapable of making their own energy (ATP) or replicating themselves without a host cell

Types of Viruses

Viruses can be classified based on their host cell:
- Bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria)
- Eukaryotic viruses (viruses that infect human cells or other eukaryotic cells)
Examples of viruses include pox virus, herpes virus, and parvovirus

Shape Adaptations and Entry into Host Cells

Viruses have special shape adaptations to enter host cells:
- Bacteriophages have complex shapes, including a head, sheath, and tail, which allow them to inject their genetic material into host cells
- Eukaryotic viruses use receptors on the host cell surface to enter the cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis
- Some viruses have an envelope that allows them to enter the cell through direct fusion with the host cell membrane

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Description

Learn about the characteristics of viruses that make them successful in microbiology. Explore the four key factors that define viruses, including their size and more.