Virology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards about general and specific virology topics.

Virus

Submicroscopic infectious agents that replicate only inside the host cell. Composed of genetic material (RNA or DNA) + protective protein coating (capsid), and some have an envelope.

Capsid

A protein coat that encases and protects the viral genome.

Envelope (of a virus)

An additional lipid layer around the capsid in some viruses, containing viral proteins essential for infecting the host cell.

Retroviruses

Viruses that reverse transcribe their RNA into DNA within the host cell (e.g., HIV).

Oncoviruses

Viruses that can lead to cancer development (e.g., HBV, HPV).

Orthomyxoviridae

Family of viruses that includes influenza viruses (A and B), which cause the flu.

Herpesviridae

Large family of viruses that cause illnesses like oral & genital herpes, chickenpox, shingles, Epstein-Barr, and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Coronaviruses

Subfamily of viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (causes COVID-19) and other types that cause mild illnesses like the common cold.

Human Papillomaviruses (HPV)

Family of viruses that cause warts, and some can cause cancer of the skin.

Enteroviruses

Genus of viruses that infect the GI tract and cause polio, hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

Flaviviruses

Viruses often spread by mosquitoes and cause illnesses like Zika, West Nile, dengue fever, and yellow fever.

Orthopoxviruses

Viruses that cause blistering rashes; Mpox & smallpox are examples.

Hepatitis Viruses

Viruses that infect the liver; Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common.

Satellite Viruses

Viruses that cannot reproduce without a “helper” virus; HDV requires HBV.

Attachment (Viral)

First step in viral infection where the virus binds to the host cell through receptor binding or direct fusion.

Lytic Cycle

Viral replication cycle where the virus uses the host cell's machinery to make copies of itself, leading to cell lysis and release of virions.

Lysogenic Cycle

Viral replication cycle where the virus integrates its DNA into the host cell's DNA and remains dormant. Triggers can cause the cell to burst, spreading virions.

Icosahedral/Polyhedral

Geometric shape with many sides, like a soccer ball. A common shape observed in viruses.

Helical

Shape like a cylinder that some viruses have, with genetic material as a coiled spring.

Positive-sense RNA

Viral RNA that can be used as replication instruction without additional steps.

Negative-sense RNA

Viral RNA that needs enzymes to create positive-sense RNA before replication.

Antigenic Drift

Minor antigenic changes in viruses that can lead to epidemics (especially in influenza).

Antigenic Shift

Major antigenic changes in viruses due to reassortment of RNA segments, leading to pandemics (especially in influenza).

Reye Syndrome

A rare but serious condition that can occur with aspirin use in children with influenza or chickenpox.

Paramyxoviridae

Family of viruses including Measles virus, Mumps virus, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Parainfluenza virus, Human metapneumovirus.

Syncytia Formation

Formation of a single cell containing several nuclei, mediated by fusion proteins (F) on the surface of paramyxoviruses.

Koplik Spots

Small, white spots that appear on the inside of the cheeks early in the course of measles infection.

Coronaviridae

Family of viruses including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, characterized by crown-like spike proteins (S).

Cytokine Storm

Excessive release of cytokines contributing to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and other viral infections.

Picornaviridae

Family of viruses including Poliovirus, Coxsackievirus, Echovirus, Enterovirus, Rhinovirus, and Hepatitis A virus.

Caliciviridae

Family of viruses including Norovirus (Norwalk virus) and Sapovirus, known for causing acute gastroenteritis.

Reoviridae

Family of viruses including Rotavirus and Colorado tick fever virus; the only family with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).

Astroviridae

Family of viruses including Human astrovirus, characterized by a star-shaped appearance under electron microscopy.