Viruses, Prions, and Bacteria Overview

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to viruses, prions, and bacteria as outlined in the lecture notes.

Viruses

Non-cellular infectious agents that are not made of cells and do not fit into any domain or kingdom.

Genetic core

The component of a virus that contains genetic material, either DNA or RNA.

Capsid

A protein coat that protects the genetic material of a virus and aids in attaching to host cells.

Envelope

A lipid layer that surrounds some viruses, derived from the host cell membrane, which can be disrupted by soap.

DNA viruses

Viruses that have DNA as their genetic material and are more stable than RNA viruses.

RNA viruses

Viruses that contain RNA as their genetic material and mutate quickly, often causing pandemics.

Tropism

The specificity of a virus for a particular host cell type, determined by receptor binding.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme used by RNA viruses to convert RNA into DNA as part of their replication process.

Integration

The process where viral DNA inserts into the host's DNA, becoming a permanent part of the host's genetic material.

Bacteriophage

A type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.

CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease)

The human version of prion disease causing rapid brain decline and death.

Prion

Pathogenic proteins that cause disease by inducing normal proteins to misfold.

Spongiform encephalopathies

A group of diseases characterized by brain tissue that looks spongy due to neuronal loss.

Endotoxin

A toxin that is part of the bacterial cell wall, released when the bacterium dies.

Exotoxin

A toxic substance secreted by bacteria into their environment.

Peptidoglycan

A vital component of bacterial cell walls, targeted by many antibiotics.

Gram Stain

A method used to differentiate bacterial species into two groups based on the characteristics of their cell walls.

Malaria

A disease caused by Plasmodium species, transmitted by mosquito bites, marked by fever and chills.

Heterozygote advantage

The phenomenon where individuals with two different alleles for a trait (heterozygotes) have a survival advantage.

Angiogenesis

The process by which new blood vessels form, often stimulated by tumors.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from the original site to other parts of the body.

Carcinogen

A substance or factor that promotes the development of cancer.

Bubonic plague

A deadly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, historically known for wiping out a significant portion of Europe's population.

Limiting factors

Environmental factors that restrict the growth and size of populations.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain.

Commensalism

A type of symbiotic relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Antigenic drift

The gradual mutation of viruses, such as the flu, leading to changes in the viral antigens.

Antigenic shift

A major change in a virus, often due to reassortment of genetic material, producing a new strain.

Budding

A method of viral release where new viruses exit the host cell slowly without killing it.