Viruses, Bacteria, and Protists

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to viruses, bacteria, and protists, providing definitions essential for Biology study.

Virus

A noncellular obligate intracellular parasite that can contain either DNA or RNA.

Capsid

The outer protein coat of a virus, composed of protein subunits.

Bacteriophage

A virus that reproduces exclusively inside a bacterium.

Lytic Cycle

A viral reproductive cycle that results in the immediate destruction of the host cell.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral reproductive cycle where the virus lies dormant in the host cell until it is triggered to enter the lytic cycle.

Viroid

A small, circular piece of RNA that infects plants and does not have a protein coat.

Prion

Infectious proteins that can cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing misfolding of normal proteins.

Retrovirus

An RNA virus that reverse transcribes its RNA into DNA before integrating into the host genome.

Antiviral Drug

A medication used to treat viral infections by targeting specific aspects of the viral life cycle.

Bioremediation

The use of bacteria to break down and remove pollutants from the environment.

Symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two different biological species, which can be mutualistic, commensal, or parasitic.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that eukaryotic cells originated from a symbiotic relationship between prokaryotes.

Plasmid

Extrachromosomal DNA found in some bacteria that can be transferred between cells.

Ciliates

A group of protozoans characterized by the presence of cilia for movement and feeding.

Amoeba

A type of protozoan that moves using pseudopods and feeds by engulfing prey.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease in its host.