Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

Flashcards covering key concepts related to viruses, viroids, and prions from the lecture.

Obligatory intracellular parasites

Organisms that can only replicate within living host cells.

Virion

Complete, fully developed viral particle.

Capsid

Protein coat made of capsomeres that encases the viral nucleic acid.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects bacteria.

Lytic cycle

A viral replication process where the phage causes lysis and death of the host cell.

Lysogenic cycle

A viral replication process where phage DNA incorporates into the host cell DNA and remains latent.

Oncogene

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer when mutated.

Prion

Infectious protein particles that can cause neurodegenerative diseases.

Cytopathic effect (CPE)

Deterioration of virally infected cells observed in cell cultures.

Prophage

Phage DNA that is integrated into the host cell's DNA during lysogeny.

Reverse transcriptase

Enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template, commonly found in retroviruses.

Latent viral infection

A viral infection that remains inactive in host cells for long periods.

Persistent viral infection

A viral infection that is often chronic and can lead to continuous release of virus.