Honors Biology INFECTIOUS DISEASE & VIRUSES

Acute

Refers to a disease or condition that has a rapid onset and usually a short duration.

Attatchment

The process by which a virus or bacteria adheres to the surface of a host cell.

Bacteria

Singe-celled microorganisms that can be found everywhere and cause disease.

Capsid

The protein coat surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus particle.

Contagious

Easily transmissible from one person or organism to another.

Disease

An abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of an organism.

Latent(dormant)

Phase in some infections where pathogen remains inactive within the host.

Entry

The process by which a pathogen gains access into a host organism.

Envelope

A lipid bilayer that surrounds some viruses, derived from the host cell membrane during viral replication.

Glycoprotien Spike

Protein structures on the surface of a virus that facilitate attachment to host cells.

Host

An organism that harbors and provides nourishment for another organism (parasite).

Host/target cell

The specific cell type that a virus or other pathogen infects.

Infection

The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms within body tissues.

Inherited

Traits or characteristics passed down from parent to offspring through genetics.

Lytic

A type of viral infection where the virus destroys the host cell upon replication and release.

Lysogenic

A type of viral infection where the virus integrates its genetic material into the host genome, remaining dormant until triggered to enter the lytic cycle.

Metabolism

The chemical processes occurring within a living organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life.

Mutation

A change in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's DNA or RNA.

Nucleic Acid

Biomolecules, including DNA and RNA, that carry genetic information.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that contains the genetic material(DNA) of eukaryotic cells.

Parasite

An organism that lives on or within another organism (the host) and benefits at the host's expense.

Pathogen

An agent, such as a virus, bacterium, fungus, or parasite, that causes disease.

Prion

An infectious agent consisting only of protein and lacking nucleic acid, responsible for several neurodegenerative diseases.

Proteins

Large biomolecules consisting of amino acids, essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.

Protist

A diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms, including protozoa and algae.

Reservoir

The natural habitat where a pathogen normally lives, grows, and multiplies.

Recovery

The process of returning to a normal state of health after being ill.

Susceptible Host

An organism that is vulnerable to infection by a particular pathogen.

Symptoms

Observable or subjective manifestations of an illness or disease.

Mode of Transmission

The means by which a pathogen is transferred from one host to another.

Virus

A submicroscopic infectious agent that requires a host cell to replicate and causes various diseases in animals, plants, and bacteria.

Zoonotic

Refers to diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Direct

Refers to a mode of transmission where the pathogen is transferred directly from one person to another.

Portal of Entry

The route by which a pathogen enters the body of a host.

Portal of Exit

The route by which a pathogen exits the body of a host.

Germ Theory

The theory that microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, can cause disease.

Indirect

Refers to a mode of transmission where the pathogen is transferred via an intermediate object or organism.

Infectious

nfectious diseases are caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, and can be transmitted from one person to another.

Non-infectious

Non-infectious diseases are caused by factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors and are not transmissible between individuals.

Infectious Diseases Examples

Influenza, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19

6 Pathogens that Cause Disease

Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths (parasitic worms), and prions

Chain of Infection

six links: pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Viral Structures and Functions in Infection

Capsid: Protects the viral genome.

Envelope: Helps the virus evade the host immune system.

Glycoprotein Spike: Facilitates attachment to host cells.

Nucleic Acid: Contains the genetic information required for viral replication.

Lytic

Viruses quickly take over the host cell, make many copies, break the cell, and infect other cells

Lysogenic

Cycle, viruses sneak into the host's DNA, stay hidden, and wait. Later, they become active, make copies, and infect other cells