viruses

Viruses

Microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.

Are viruses alive?

Controversial; Dr. Carlson believes they are not alive.

Virology

The study of viruses.

Propagation

The process by which viruses replicate.

Bacteriophages

Viruses that infect bacteria and help control bacterial populations.

Population control

The role of some viruses in regulating bacterial populations.

Horizontal gene transfer

The process by which viruses can contribute to evolutionary changes by transferring genes.

Viral genome

The nucleic acid of a virus, which can be RNA or DNA.

Single-stranded and double-stranded

Terms that describe the structure of viral genomes.

Viral capsid

The protein coat that encloses a viral genome.

Viral envelope

The membrane that surrounds some viruses, derived from the host cell.

Bacteriophage structure

Complex structures often found in bacteriophages, including tail pieces and enzymes.

Obligate intracellular parasites

Viruses that must infect a host cell to replicate.

Host specificity

The limitation of most viruses to infect only one species or specific cell types.

Host range

The number of species that a virus can infect.

Replication cycle of a virus

Includes entering a cell, separating proteins and genome, replicating genome, producing proteins, assembling virus, and exiting the cell.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

An enzyme used by some viruses to replicate their RNA.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme that converts RNA into DNA, found in certain viruses.

Vaccines

Preventive measures that can help avoid viral diseases.

Antibiotics

Medications that are ineffective against viral infections.

Quarantine

A measure taken to isolate infected individuals to prevent disease spread.

Epidemic

A disease outbreak occurring in a specific geographical area.

Pandemic

A global outbreak of a disease.

Interesting enzymes

Unusual enzymes that some viruses possess for replication.

Molecular biology

A field of science concerned with the molecular basis of biological activity.

Size and shape of viruses

Varies widely among different types of viruses.

Viral assembly

The process by which new virus particles are put together inside a host cell.

Exit from cell

The final step in the replication cycle where newly formed viruses leave the host cell.

Resource hogs

Description of viruses that use the host's resources extensively.

RNA viruses

Types of viruses whose genetic material is composed of RNA.

DNA viruses

Types of viruses whose genetic material is composed of DNA.

Inhibiting viral enzymes

Development of drugs that target viral enzymes to treat infections.

Complex structures in viruses

Refer to various features like tail pieces found in specific viruses.

Role of viruses in cancer

Understanding viral influences on the development of cancer.

Emerging viral diseases

New or previously unrecognized health threats posed by viruses.

Viruses and evolution

The role of viruses in facilitating horizontal gene transfer among organisms.

Replication of viruses

A series of events that lead to the production of new viral particles.

Symptoms of viral infections

Signs like illness caused by viral replication in host cells.

Vaccine development

The process of creating vaccines to prevent viral infections.

Preventing viral transmission

Measures taken to stop the spread of viruses, such as vaccination and quarantine.