General Biology II: Lecture Notes on Viruses

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to viruses as discussed in the lecture notes.

Virus

An infectious agent that can only replicate within a host organism.

Virion

An individual virus particle, usually consisting of nucleic acid and a protective protein coat.

Obligate Intracellular Parasites

Organisms that can only replicate inside a host cell.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.

Mycophage

A virus that infects fungi.

Virophage

A virus that infects other viruses.

Lytic Cycle

The viral reproductive cycle where the virus enters a host cell, replicates, and causes the cell to burst, releasing new viruses.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral reproductive cycle where the virus integrates its genetic material into the host genome, allowing it to replicate without killing the host cell immediately.

Baltimore Classification

A classification system that categorizes viruses based on their nucleic acid type and replication method.

Acelular

Referring to organisms that do not have a cellular structure.

Capsid

The protein coat that encases the viral genome, providing protection.

Contagium Vivum Fluidum

Term meaning 'contagious living fluid', used to describe viruses.

Immunological Assays

Techniques used to identify viral proteins using antibodies.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A molecular technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences for virus detection.

RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription PCR)

A technique used to detect RNA viruses by converting RNA into DNA before amplification.

Pathogen

An organism that may cause disease.

Vaccine

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

Cytopathic Effects

The observable effects of a virus on cells.

Genetic Material of Viruses

Viruses contain either DNA or RNA, but never both.

Antiviral Drugs

Medications specifically used to treat viral infections.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases spread and can be controlled within populations.