Introduction to Viruses and Their Applications

These flashcards cover key concepts related to viruses, their structure, types, and potential applications in medicine, as well as the interactions between viruses and the immune system.

What is a potential application of viruses in medicine?

Viruses can be used in gene therapy to treat diseases like cancer.

What do viruses require for infection?

Viruses require specific receptors on host cells to infect and replicate.

What happens to cells during viral infection as the virus replicates?

The infected cells are often killed when viruses grow in number and break out.

How can viruses be modified for therapeutic purposes?

Viruses can be modified to specifically target and infect certain cancer cells without harming normal cells.

What are the two main types of genetic material that viruses can have?

Viruses can have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material.

What is the difference between enveloped and naked viruses?

Enveloped viruses have a lipid membrane surrounding them while naked viruses do not.

What do capsomeres represent in a virus?

Capsomeres are the protein subunits that make up a virus's capsid.

What role does the immune system play against viruses?

The immune system continuously monitors for viruses and can develop memory against previously encountered viruses.

What is the significance of RNA viruses changing frequently?

RNA viruses, like the flu virus, change often, necessitating annual vaccinations.

What is the function of neuraminidase in the influenza virus?

Neuraminidase helps the virus to detach from infected cells and spread, making it a target for antiviral drugs like Tamiflu.

What type of virus is HIV?

HIV is an enveloped RNA virus that specifically targets CD4 immune cells.

What is significant about prion proteins?

Prion proteins are misfolded proteins that cause diseases and cannot be easily destroyed even by heating.

What approach can be used to prevent the spread of certain plant viruses?

Using healthy plant lines and avoiding the planting of infected materials can help prevent plant viruses.