Viruses, Viroids, Prions: Structure and Multiplication

Virus

Microbe requiring a host cell to reproduce.

Capsid

Protein coat surrounding a virus's nucleic acid.

Capsomere

Protein units that make up the capsid.

Viroid

Short RNA sequences without a capsid, found in plants.

Morphology

Form and structure of a virus.

Host Range

Organisms a virus can infect.

Bacteriophage

Virus that specifically infects bacteria.

Envelope

Lipid layer surrounding some viruses' capsids.

Spikes

Carbohydrate-protein complexes aiding virus attachment.

Helical Virus

Long rods, can be rigid or flexible.

Polyhedral Virus

Common eicosahedron structure with twenty sides.

Enveloped Virus

Roughly spherical due to its lipid envelope.

Complex Virus

Viruses with multiple conjoined shapes.

Baltimore Classification

Sorts viruses by nucleic acid type and strands.

Viral Species

Group of viruses sharing genetic info and host range.

Lytic Cycle

Virus hijacks host cell, producing new virions.

Lysogenic Cycle

Viral DNA integrates into bacterial chromosome.

Attachment (Lytic Cycle)

Phage attaches to host cell's wall.

Penetration (Lytic Cycle)

Phage injects genetic material into host cell.

Biosynthesis (Lytic Cycle)

Host cell duplicates phage genetic material.

Maturation (Lytic Cycle)

Assembly of viral proteins and genetic material.

Release (Lytic Cycle)

Host cell lyses, releasing new virions.

Oncogene

Gene inducing uncontrolled growth, leading to cancer.

Prion

Infectious particle made of misfolded proteins.