Animal Virus Morphology and Transmission

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms related to animal virus morphology and the concepts of horizontal and vertical transmission.

Animal viruses

Viruses that infect vertebrate animals; exhibit a variety of shapes and sizes and may appear pleomorphic (variable in form).

DNA viruses

A class of animal viruses whose genetic material is DNA, typically displaying characteristic shapes and relative sizes distinct from RNA viruses.

RNA viruses

A class of animal viruses whose genomes are composed of RNA, often differing in shape and size from DNA viruses.

Horizontal transmission

Person-to-person spread of a virus from one host to another, requiring a portal of entry to reach the infection site.

Vertical transmission

Mother-to-child transfer of a virus, which can occur in utero, during birth, or through breastfeeding.

Portal of entry

The anatomical site (e.g., respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin) through which a virus gains access to the host before establishing infection at its target site.