Virus Lecture Notes Flashcards

Flashcards based on the lecture notes covering definitions and key concepts related to viruses.

Virus

A microscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.

Why are viruses nonliving?

Viruses are considered nonliving because they do not have cellular structure and cannot carry out metabolism on their own.

Examples of viral diseases

Influenza, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Measles, and COVID-19.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that infects bacteria.

Lytic cycle

The viral reproduction cycle in which the virus takes over the host cell's DNA and transforms it into a virus-making machine.

Lyse

To break down or destroy a cell, typically causing it to burst.

Lysogenic cycle

A viral reproduction cycle where the virus can lay dormant inside the host's DNA and remain inactive for a period.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that uses RNA as its genetic material and converts it into DNA within the host cell.

Pathogen

An organism or agent that causes disease.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

Immunity through vaccinations

The process by which exposure to a vaccine stimulates the immune system to recognize and fight the disease without causing the disease itself.

Common examples of vaccines

Vaccines are available for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, hepatitis B, and HPV.