VIRUSES

Virus

A non-cellular entity that requires a living host cell to replicate.

Acellular

Not composed of cells; a characteristic of viruses.

Capsid

The protein coat that encloses the viral nucleic acid.

Nucleic Acid

The core component of a virus, which can be DNA or RNA.

Lipid Envelope

A membrane surrounding some viruses, derived from the host cell.

Protein Spikes

Structures on the viral surface that help in attaching to host cells.

Helix

One of the shapes that viruses can exhibit.

Sphere

A spherical shape that some viruses take.

Polyhedron

A geometric shape that certain viruses can have.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.

Lytic Cycle

The viral reproduction cycle that results in the bursting of the host cell.

Lysogenic Cycle

The viral reproduction cycle that integrates viral DNA into the host genome.

Prophage

Viral DNA that integrates into the host chromosome during the lysogenic cycle.

Animal Cell Viruses

Viruses that infect animal cells, such as influenza and HIV.

Plant Cell Viruses

Viruses that infect plant cells, like the tobacco mosaic virus.

HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.

SARS-CoV-2

The virus responsible for COVID-19.

Chicken Pox

A disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that transcribes RNA into DNA, such as HIV.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme used by retroviruses to synthesize DNA from RNA.

Budding

A method of viral replication in which a virus acquires host cell membrane.

Emerging Viruses

Viruses that appear suddenly and can cause outbreaks.

Zika Virus

A virus known for its transmission by mosquitoes, causing birth defects.

West Nile Virus

A mosquito-borne virus that affects birds, humans, and horses.

Ebola Virus

A virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans.

H1N1 Influenza

A subtype of the influenza virus responsible for widespread illness.

Checkpoint Questions

Questions posed to reinforce understanding of a topic.

Viral Diseases

Diseases caused by viral infections, like flu and AIDS.

Viral Replication

The process by which viruses reproduce inside host cells.

Health Implications

Consequences of viral infections on human and animal health.

Checkpoint Question: Flu Vaccine

Why does last year's flu shot not protect against this year's strain?

DNA Virus

A virus that uses DNA as its genetic material.

RNA Virus

A virus that uses RNA as its genetic material.

Glycoprotein Spikes

Proteins on the virus surface that are involved in host recognition.

Vaccine Development Challenges

Difficulties faced in creating effective vaccines for viruses like HIV.

Public Health Strategies

Plans implemented to manage viral outbreaks and protect community health.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

A plant virus that infects tobacco and other plants.

Poliovirus

A virus that can cause poliomyelitis, affecting the nervous system.

SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a viral respiratory illness.

Viral Filtration

Techniques used to remove viruses from contaminated materials.

Quarantine

A health management strategy to prevent the spread of viruses.

Infection Cycle

The stages involved in a virus infecting a host.

Cell Lysis

The rupture of host cells due to viral replication.

Viral Pathogenesis

The mechanism by which viruses cause disease.

Antiviral Drugs

Medications designed to treat viral infections.

Vigilance in Epidemiology

Ongoing monitoring to detect emerging viruses.

Zoonotic Diseases

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Host Cell Machinery

The cellular components viruses exploit for replication.

Genomic +ssRNA

Single-stranded RNA that serves as a positive-sense template in some viruses.

Influenza Virus Structure

Contains RNA genome and proteins crucial for infection.

Viral Diversity

The wide variety of viral forms and genetic configurations.

Biological Control of Viruses

Strategies for managing viral populations in agriculture.

Viral Latency

A period during which viruses remain dormant in host cells.

Viral co-infection

When a host cell is infected by multiple types of viruses simultaneously.

Viral Genomics

The study of viral genomes to understand their structure and function.

Phylogenetic Analysis

A method to assess the evolutionary relationships between different viruses.

Virus Classification

The system used to categorize viruses based on their characteristics, such as type of nucleic acid and symmetry.

Virulence Factors

Molecular features that enhance a virus's capability to cause disease.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Antibodies that are made by identical immune cells and can bind to specific antigens on viruses.

Virus Reservoir

An organism or environment in which a virus can live and multiply without causing disease.

Asymptomatic Carrier

A person or animal that carries a virus without showing symptoms.

Horizontal Transmission

Spread of viruses from one individual to another of the same generation.

Vertical Transmission

Transfer of a virus from parent to offspring during pregnancy, childbirth, or nursing.

Serology

The study of blood serum to detect the presence of antibodies against viral infections.

Antigenic Variation

Changes in the virus’s surface proteins that allow it to evade the immune response.

Diagnostic Techniques

Methods to identify viral infections, such as PCR and serology.

Inactivated Vaccines

Vaccines made from viruses that have been killed or inactivated so they cannot cause disease.

Live Attenuated Vaccines

Vaccines that use weakened forms of the virus to stimulate an immune response.

Viral Shedding

The release of virus particles from an infected person into the environment.

Viral Load

The quantity of virus present in a person's blood or other body fluids.

Plasmid-based Vaccines

Vaccines that use plasmids containing viral genetic material to prompt an immune response.

Endemic Viruses

Viruses that are consistently present within a specific geographic area.

Epidemic

An outbreak of a disease that occurs in a specific region in excess of what is normally expected.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, affecting a large number of people.