Introduction to Evolutionary Biology: Lecture 11

These flashcards cover key concepts related to viruses, prions, and the tree of life discussed in Lecture 11.

Virus

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

Capsid

The protein coat that encases a virus's genetic material.

Virion

A complete virus particle that consists of one or more molecules of DNA or RNA enclosed in a protein coat.

TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies)

A group of progressive conditions that affect the brain and nervous system of humans and animals, associated with prions.

Prion

An infectious agent composed of protein in a misfolded form, leading to diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.

LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor)

The most recent common ancestor of all current life on Earth.

Biased Tree of Life

An interpretation of evolution that does not fully represent the relationships between all life forms, particularly with regard to Archaea and Eukarya.

Eukaryotes

Organisms consisting of cells that have a nucleus enclosed within membranes.

Binary fission

A method of asexual reproduction in which a cell divides into two equal parts.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material of an organism.

Pathogen

A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.

Mutation

A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene.