Introduction to Virology practice flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of virology, including viral structure, replication cycles, classification, and medical outcomes as presented in the lecture notes.

Virus

A microscopic infectious agent derived from a Latin word meaning "Poison" that can only replicate inside the living cells of organisms.

Virology

The study of viruses.

Bacteriophage

A virus that can infect and destroy bacteria, also referred to as a bacterial parasite.

Viral Size Range

Viruses are very small infectious agents ranging in size from $25-300\,\text{nm}$, viewable only by Electron Microscopy (EM).

Virion

The complete infectious form of a virus outside the host cell, consisting of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) and protein.

Capsid

A protein sheath or coat that encloses and protects the viral genetic material; it is a structural component found in all viruses.

Capsomeres

The protein units that make up the capsid (capsule) to protect the genetic material.

Envelope

A lipoprotein layer found in some viruses consisting of both viral and host cell components.

Nucleocapsid

The term used to describe the combination of a virus's nucleic acid and its capsid.

Retrovirus

A classification for a virus that contains RNA as its nucleic acid.

Attachment

The first stage of the viral life cycle where viral proteins on the capsid or envelope interact with specific receptors on the host cell membrane.

Penetration

The stage where the virus enters the host cell, often induced by conformational changes in the capsid or envelope resulting in fusion.

Uncoating

The process where the viral capsid is removed and degraded by enzymes, releasing viral components inside the host cell.

Maturation

Also known as assembly, the process where viral proteins are packaged with the new replicated viral genome into new virions.

Lysis

A method of viral release that results in the death of the infected host cell.

Budding

A method of viral release that results in an enveloped virus and does not kill the infected cell.

Cytolytic virus

A type of virus that kills the host cell during release, such as Variola Major (smallpox).

Cytopathic virus

A type of virus that does not kill the infected cells during release, such as the influenza virus.

Vaccine

A substance consisting of an attenuated (weak) copy of a virus that stimulates the immune system to block infection but cannot treat patients already infected.

Acute infection

A viral infection outcome that may lead to recovery, progress to chronic infection, or result in death.

Chronic infection

A lifelong subclinical infection that may reactivate to cause acute disease, relapsing/exacerbations, or cancer.

RSV

An abbreviation for Respiratory Syncytial Virus.