VIRUS

Virus

A microorganism smaller than bacteria, seen only with an electron microscope.

Obligate intracellular organism

An organism that can only replicate inside the living cells of a host.

Capsid

The outer coat of a virus made up of protein subunits called capsomeres.

Filterable

Characteristic of viruses meaning they can pass through biological filters.

Nucleic Acid

The genetic material in viruses, which can be either DNA or RNA.

Virion

A complete virus particle that contains nucleic acid and a capsid.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects and destroys bacteria.

Lytic cycle

The cycle of viral reproduction that results in the destruction of the host cell.

Temperate phages

Bacteriophages that do not immediately destroy the bacterial cell, integrating their DNA into the host's chromosome.

Prion

A small infectious protein known to cause fatal neurologic diseases in animals.

Viroid

Short, naked fragments of single-stranded RNA that affect plant metabolism.

RNA virus

A virus whose genetic material consists of RNA.

DNA virus

A virus whose genetic material consists of DNA.

Assembly (in viral replication)

The stage where viral components are put together to form new virus particles.

Release (in viral replication)

The final step where newly assembled viruses exit the host cell.

Inclusion Bodies

Aggregates of virus particles found within host cells, used for diagnostic purposes.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that incorporates its RNA genome into the host cell's DNA.

Poliovirus

A type of Picornavirus that causes poliomyelitis.

Herpes Simplex I

A virus that causes cold sores.

Herpes Zoster

The virus that causes shingles.

Enterovirus

A type of Reovirus that infects the intestines.

Orthomyxovirus

A virus responsible for influenza.

Coxsackie virus

A virus that can cause respiratory infections and meningitis.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a retrovirus that causes AIDS.

Smallpox

A serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus.

Yellow Fever

A viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, caused by a type B arbovirus.