Viruses and Pollutants Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on viruses and pollutants.

Bioaccumulation

The accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism.

Biomagnification

The increase in concentration of a substance in the tissues of organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain.

Virion

An infectious virus particle that consists of nucleic acids and protein.

Capsid

The protein coat that encases the viral genome.

Nucleocapsid

The complex of the viral genome and the capsid.

Envelope

A lipid membrane surrounding the nucleocapsid in some viruses.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a disease caused by HIV.

Zoonotic viruses

Viruses that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Arboviruses

Viruses transmitted by arthropods like mosquitoes and ticks.

Mechanical vector

A vector that spreads the virus without being infected.

Biological vector

A vector that is infected and helps to spread the virus.

Opportunistic infections

Infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Heavy metals

Toxic elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium that can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in food chains.

Chelation therapy

A medical procedure that removes heavy metal ions from the body.

Microplastics

Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm that can cause environmental and health problems.

Polyethylene (PE)

A type of plastic commonly found in microplastics, often from packaging like water bottles.

Pollutants

Harmful substances introduced into the environment that degrade air, water, or land quality.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

A treatment regimen for HIV/AIDS that involves taking several antiretroviral medications.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

A preventive treatment for HIV-negative individuals at high risk for HIV infection.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

A treatment method for HIV-negative people who may have been recently exposed to HIV.

Tissue tropism

The specificity of a virus for a particular host tissue.

Viral genome

The genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a virus.

Viruses characteristics

Smallest, obligatory intracellular parasites that require a host to replicate.

Infectious diseases

Illnesses caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

Contact transmission

Spread of disease through direct or indirect contact.

Environmental degradation

Deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources.

Disease vector

An organism that transmits a disease-causing pathogen.

Transmission electron microscope

An instrument used to visualize detailed structures at the molecular level.

Py-GC/MS

Techniques used for analyzing the concentration of microplastics in human tissue.

Oxidative stress

An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, often caused by heavy metal exposure.

Transmission modes

Methods by which a virus spreads from one host to another.

Respiratory diseases

Illnesses affecting the lungs and airways, often caused by pollutants.

Immunodeficiency

A condition in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases is compromised.

Bioavailability

The extent to which substances such as nutrients or pollutants can be absorbed by living organisms.

Health implications

Possible health effects that arise as a result of exposure to pollutants.

Bioremediation

Process using microorganisms to remove or neutralize contaminants from a polluted area.

Pollution sources

Origins of pollutants that can degrade environmental quality.

Toxicity

The degree to which a substance can harm living organisms.

Skin lesions

Damage to the skin that can act as an entry point for viruses.

Viral lifecycle

The series of processes a virus undergoes from attachment to release.

Viruses classification

Grouping of viruses based on characteristics such as type of nucleic acid.

HIV infection mechanism

The process by which HIV infects and destroys CD4+ T cells.

Viral transmission via droplets

Spread of viruses through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Food chain transfer

The movement of substances through various trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Environmental health

Study of how environmental factors affect human health.

Cryogenic electron microscopy

Technique that uses extremely low temperatures to observe biological specimens.

Public health policies

Guidelines designed to improve the health of populations and manage health risks.