flash cards

Virions

Complete virus particles that consist of nucleic acid and protein coat.

Nucleic Acid Types

Viruses can contain single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA).

Obligate Intracellular Parasites

Viruses that can only replicate inside a living host cell.

Capsid

The protein coat that covers and protects the viral nucleic acid.

Envelope

A lipid bilayer that surrounds some viruses, derived from the host cell membrane.

Antigenic Properties

Characteristics of virus proteins that can provoke an immune response.

Self-limiting Infection

A viral infection that resolves on its own without treatment; typical in many viral diseases.

Host Range

The variety of different hosts that a virus can infect.

Immunisation

The process by which an individual's immune system becomes fortified against an agent.

Specificity of Viruses

Viruses are often highly selective for specific hosts and cell types.

Animal Reservoirs

Animal species that harbor viruses and can transmit them to humans or other species.

Receptor Sites

Specific locations on host cells where viruses bind to initiate infection.

Penetration (Viral Replication)

The process by which a virus enters a host cell.

Synthesis (Viral Replication)

The phase in viral replication where viral nucleic acids are copied and viral components are produced.

Lytic Cycle

A process in which viruses cause the death of the host cell as they replicate.

Viral Pathogenesis

The process by which viruses cause disease.