Viral Replication

Virus Lifecycle

The series of stages that a virus goes through to infect a host cell, replicate, and produce new virus particles. The lifecycle typically includes attachment, entry, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release. Each stage plays a crucial role in the overall process of viral infection and propagation within the host organism.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis

A cellular process where viruses attach to cell receptors and are internalized through vesicle formation.

Glycoproteins

Proteins that play key roles in virus receptor attachment and entry into host cells.

Uncoating

The process by which a virus releases its genome into the host cell after entry.

Replication

The process by which the viral genome is copied and new viral proteins are synthesized within the host cell.

Progeny Viruses

Newly assembled viruses that are formed inside a host cell and can infect other cells.

Eclipse Phase

The period during a viral infection when the virus enters a cell, begins to replicate, but cannot yet be detected.

Viral Assembly

The step in the viral lifecycle where newly synthesized viral components are packaged into complete virus particles.

Budding

The method through which enveloped viruses exit the host cell by taking a portion of the host's membrane.

Polarity of RNA

Refers to the orientation of the RNA strand, impacting its function in protein synthesis and genome replication.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

The framework for understanding the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

Reverse Transcription

The process by which retroviruses convert their RNA genome into DNA within a host cell.

Infectious Virus Particle

A mature virus that is capable of initiating an infection in a new host.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can be triggered by viral infection, leading to the release of viral particles.

Viral Transmission

The spread of viruses from an infected host to new cells or organisms.

Microtubules

Structural components of the cell that viruses hijack for intracellular transport.

Capsid

The protein shell that encases and protects a virus's genetic material.

Kinesins

Host proteins that transport vesicles along microtubules, enabling virus movement within the cell.

Polyprotein

A large precursor protein that is cleaved into multiple functional viral proteins after translation.

Segmented Viruses

Viruses that have genomes composed of multiple RNA segments, each coding for a different protein.

Non-Structural Proteins

Viral proteins that are not part of the viral particle but are important for viral replication and assembly.