Exam 1 Review - Global Infectious Disease, Viruses, Bacteria, Cells, DNA, RNA, Genome, Parasites, Mosquito-Borne Diseases, Prions

Flashcards covering key concepts from lectures on Global Infectious Disease, Viruses, Bacteria, Cell Biology (DNA, RNA, Proteins), the Human Genome, Parasitic Diseases, Mosquito-Borne Illnesses, and Prions, for an upcoming exam.

Pathogens

Agents that spread across the globe and cause human disease.

Malaria

A human disease caused by a parasite, transmitted via mosquito.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A human disease caused by a bacterium, treatable by antibiotics, but capable of adapting and evading treatments.

Smallpox

A human disease caused by a virus that had a large impact throughout history.

vCJD ("mad cow disease")

A human disease caused by a prion, transmitted via BSE-infected beef.

Global disease eradication

The goal of eliminating global diseases, achievable via global vaccination campaigns (e.g., Smallpox, Measles).

Chamberland filter (1884)

A filter designed to remove all bacteria.

Viruses

Composed of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), protein, and sometimes lipids; they are not cells.

Group 1 Virus

A type of virus with dsDNA genetic material, exemplified by Smallpox.

Group 2 Virus

A type of virus with +ssDNA genetic material, exemplified by Parvovirus.

Group 3 Virus

A type of virus with dsRNA genetic material, exemplified by Rotaviruses.

Group 4 Virus

A type of virus with +ssRNA genetic material, exemplified by Coronaviruses.

Group 5 Virus

A type of virus with -ssRNA genetic material, exemplified by Measles.

Group 6 Virus (+ssRNA-RT)

A type of retrovirus with +ssRNA-RT genetic material, exemplified by HIV.

Group 7 Virus (dsDNA-RT)

A type of virus with dsDNA-RT genetic material, exemplified by Hepatitis B.

Attachment (Viral Replication)

The first step in viral replication where an influenza virus becomes attached to a target epithelial cell.

Penetration (Viral Replication)

The step in viral replication where the cell engulfs the virus by endocytosis.

Uncoating (Viral Replication)

The step in viral replication where viral contents are released inside the cell.

Biosynthesis (Viral Replication)

The step in viral replication where viral RNA enters the nucleus and is replicated by viral RNA polymerase.

Assembly (Viral Replication)

The step in viral replication where new phage particles are assembled.

Release (Viral Replication)

The step in viral replication where new viral particles are made and released into the extracellular fluid without killing the host cell.

Antigenic Drift

Accumulation of small mutations leading to minor antigenic change with epidemic potential in viruses.

Antigenic Shift

Genetic reassortment leading to major antigenic change with pandemic potential in viruses.

Antibody

A protein that binds to an antigen, helping to recognize and clear foreign things.

Antigen

A substance that an antibody specifically binds to.

Measles Virus

A -ssRNA virus with humans as its only reservoir, causing high fever, rash, and cough.

Influenza Virus

A -ssRNA virus with reservoirs in wild birds, domestic animals, and humans, causing fever, cough, and sore throat.

Poliovirus

A +ssRNA virus with humans as its only reservoir, causing fever, stiffness, and muscle paralysis.

SARS-CoV-2

A +ssRNA virus with bats as a reservoir (and possibly other hosts), causing fever, cough, and shortness of breath (SOB).

HIV

A +ssRNA-RT virus with humans as its only reservoir, causing fever, weight loss, fatigue, and muscle pain (leading to AIDS).

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria by injecting its viral RNA or DNA into the bacterial cell.

Eukaryotic cell

A cell with DNA contained in a nucleus and organelles in the cytoplasm.

Prokaryotic cell

A cell lacking a nucleus and organelles in the cytoplasm.

Coccus (bacteria)

A spherical bacterial morphology.

Bacillus (bacteria)

A rod-shaped bacterial morphology.

Spiral (bacteria)

A spiral-shaped bacterial morphology, as seen in the bacteria causing Lyme Disease.

Bacterial adaptation

The process by which bacteria adapt through mutations and selection, allowing those with beneficial traits to better survive.

Exotoxin

A toxin released from living bacteria, such as the tetanus toxin.

Endotoxin

A toxin located inside bacteria that is released when the bacteria die, such as in Salmonella.

Leprosy

A disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, where bacteria invade host cells, shut down protein synthesis, and lyse the cells.

Mycobacterium leprae

The slow-growing bacterium that causes Leprosy, difficult to study in laboratories.

Armadillos

An important reservoir for Mycobacterium leprae, used in leprosy research.

Lyme Disease

A bacterial vector-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by ticks.

Plague

A bacterial vector-borne disease caused by Yersenia pestis and transmitted by fleas.

Bubonic plague

A form of plague where bacteria grow in lymph nodes, causing swollen lymph nodes due to inflammation.

Septicemic plague

A form of plague where bacteria grow in the blood, producing endotoxins that cause blood clots and can lead to rapid death.

Pneumonic plague

A form of plague where bacteria grow in the lungs.

Vector (disease)

A carrier of an infectious agent.

Anthrax

A disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, which can form spores.

Spores (Anthrax)

Resistant 'resting cells' formed by Bacillus anthracis when nutrients are depleted, resistant to heat, boiling, irradiation, acids, and disinfectants.

Biological warfare

The intentional use of toxins from biological origin or disease-causing microorganisms to harm plants, animals, or humans.

Cell membrane

A structure surrounding cells, made up of lipids and proteins.

Phospholipid

A component of cell membranes, consisting of one phosphorus atom and two fatty acid chains, forming a bilayer.

Receptors (cell membrane)

Proteins on the cell membrane that bind ligands, triggering an intracellular response.

Ligand

A molecule that binds to a membrane receptor.

Channels (cell membrane)

Proteins in the cell membrane that allow ions to pass through.

Proteins

Complex molecules made of amino acids, with functions including enzymes, structural components, transport, and antibodies.

Enzymes

Proteins that carry out biochemical reactions, binding substrates and converting them into products.

Keratin

A structural protein, for example, found in hair.

Haemoglobin

A transport protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins.

Protein folding

The process by which proteins acquire their specific three-dimensional structure, which is crucial for their function.

Replication (DNA)

The process by which DNA is synthesized by DNA polymerase, creating two identical double-stranded DNA molecules from one parental molecule.

Transcription (DNA to RNA)

The process by which RNA polymerase copies genetic information from DNA into RNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, which carries the genetic code from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis.

Translation (mRNA to protein)

The process by which ribosomes read mRNA sequences to create a chain of proteins.

Ribosome

A cellular organelle that reads mRNA sequences (codons) and synthesizes proteins by adding amino acids.

Codon

A sequence of three bases in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid or a start/stop signal during protein synthesis.

Reverse Transcription

A viral exception where retroviruses convert their RNA into DNA.

RNA replication

A viral exception where RNA viruses replicate their RNA to produce more RNA (e.g., Covid-19).

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid, a long chain of nucleotides (A, C, G, T), usually double-stranded in a double helix.

Nucleotides (DNA)

The building blocks of DNA: Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), Thymine (T).

Complementary base pairing (DNA)

The specific pairing of nucleotides in DNA: A with T, and C with G.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that assembles and polymerizes complementary nucleotides during DNA replication.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A nucleic acid, made up of bases (A, C, G, U), usually single-stranded.

Nucleotides (RNA)

The building blocks of RNA: Adenine (A), Cytosine (C), Guanine (G), Uracil (U).

RNA polymerase

An enzyme that carries out transcription, producing RNA complementary to a DNA template strand.

Start codon

A specific codon that signals the beginning of protein synthesis during translation.

Stop codon

Any of three codons that signal the end of protein synthesis during translation.

Genetic code

The set of rules for translating the 4-letter code of RNA (A, C, G, U) into the 20-letter code of amino acids, where each triplet of bases (codon) codes for one amino acid.

Peer review process

A process where scientific research articles are evaluated by other experts (peer reviewers) before publication to ensure scientific standards.

Genome

The entire collection of genetic material of an organism, consisting of genes.

Genes

DNA that encodes a protein or an RNA molecule that functions other than encoding a protein.

Human chromosomes

Most humans have 46 chromosomes (2 of each of 22 autosomes, plus sex chromosomes X and Y for males, XX for females).

Mobile genetic elements ("Molecular Parasites")

DNA that can move around the genome, making up 45% of the human genome and mostly inactive due to mutations.

SNP (Single-nucleotide polymorphism)

A variation at a single base pair in a DNA sequence.

Human genome sequencing

The analysis of DNA to confirm diagnoses, profile tumors, perform prenatal testing, and take preventative measures.

DNA diagnosis confirmation

Sequencing a patient's DNA to determine if a gene associated with a suspected disease has a mutation, thereby confirming the diagnosis.

Tumor profiling

Analyzing the DNA of a tumor to identify gene mutations, which can guide the choice of drug treatment.

Prenatal testing

Sequencing the DNA of a fetus to identify dispositions to particular diseases.

BRCA1 (Breast Cancer 1)

A gene associated with an early onset form of breast cancer, identified through preventative genetic testing.

GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act)

A law that prevents insurers and employers from discriminating on the basis of genetic information.

Myriad Genetics

A company that attempted to patent the BRCA1 gene, a patent that was ultimately shut down by the Supreme Court for naturally occurring genes.

Genetic testing (other organisms)

Sequencing the DNA of other organisms, such as tuna to detect mislabeling or cannabis to assess quality.

Protozoa

Unicellular, eukaryotic organisms that have nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles, some living in the GI tract (ingesting contaminated food/water) and others in blood/tissue (from insect bites).

Pseudopods ("False Feet")

Extensions used by some protozoa for movement.

Flagella ("Tail-like")

Tail-like structures used by some protozoa for movement.

Cilia ("Hair-like")

Hair-like structures used by some protozoa for movement.

Giardiasis

A protozoan disease caused by Giardia, which moves by flagella, can be asymptomatic or cause gastroenteritis, affecting 280 million people/year.

Trichomoniasis

A protozoan disease, with 160 million cases worldwide, most common in developed countries.