HIV and ELISA Fundamentals

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts related to HIV, ELISA, and immunodiffusion techniques, essential for understanding the biological aspects of HIV infection and laboratory testing procedures.

HIV

A retrovirus characterized by an outer envelope with glycoproteins, RNA, and essential enzymes.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that inserts a copy of its RNA genome into the DNA of a host cell.

gp120

A glycoprotein on the HIV envelope that binds to the CD4 receptor on host cells.

CD4 receptor

A protein on the surface of immune cells that HIV targets for infection.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme that converts viral RNA into DNA.

Integrase

An enzyme that integrates viral DNA into the host genome.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a condition caused by HIV characterized by severe immune system damage.

Truvada (PrEP)

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis medication containing NRTIs that prevents permanent HIV infection.

ELISA

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, a test used to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens.

Zone of equivalence

The optimal concentration area where antigen and antibody form large, insoluble lattices.

Precipitation lines

Visible lines that form in immunodiffusion, indicating the interaction of antigen and antibody.

Double diffusion

A process where both antigen and antibody migrate through a gel toward each other.

Radial Immunodiffusion (RID)

A technique where the antibody is incorporated into the gel and the antigen diffuses outward.

Precipitin rings

The measurable rings formed in RID that indicate the concentration of the antigen.

Qualitative test

A test that indicates the presence or absence of a substance but does not measure exact concentrations.

Positive control

A sample known to produce a positive result to ensure the assay is functioning correctly.

Negative control

A sample known not to produce a positive result used as a baseline.