Lecture on Viruses

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to viruses.

Virus

An infectious particle consisting of genes packaged in a protein coat.

Capsid

The protein shell that encloses the viral genome.

Provirus

Viral DNA that is integrated into the host genome and remains a permanent resident of the host cell.

Lytic Cycle

A phage replicative cycle that culminates in the death of the host cell and produces new phages.

Lysogenic Cycle

Replicates the phage genome without destroying the host cell.

CRISPR-Cas System

A defense mechanism in bacteria and archaea that uses sequences from previous infections to cut viral DNA.

Obligate Intracellular Parasite

An organism that can only replicate within a host cell.

Viral Genome

The genetic material of a virus, which can be either DNA or RNA.

Viral Envelope

A membranous layer derived from host cell membranes that surrounds some viruses.

Temperate Phage

A phage that can reproduce both by the lytic and lysogenic cycles.

Virulent Phage

A phage that reproduces only by the lytic cycle.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV)

The first virus ever discovered, confirmed by crystallization in 1935.

Glycoproteins

Viral proteins on the envelope that bind to specific receptors on host cells.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme used by retroviruses to transcribe their RNA genome into DNA.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.