Lecture on Viruses and Their Mechanisms

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to viruses, their structures, life cycles, and the processes of infection.

Capsid

The protein shell that surrounds the nucleic acid of a virus.

Enveloped Virus

A virus that has an outer lipid membrane surrounding its capsid.

Nonenveloped Virus

A virus that lacks an outer lipid membrane and consists only of a capsid and its genetic material.

Spike Proteins

Proteins on the surface of a virus that are involved in the attachment to host cells.

Enteric Viruses

Viruses that primarily infect the intestine and are often transmitted through the oral route.

Zoonotic Viruses

Viruses that are transmitted from nonhuman animals to humans.

Influenza A

A subtype of the influenza virus responsible for seasonal epidemics.

Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N)

Surface proteins on the influenza virus that are used to categorize different strains.

Lytic Cycle

The viral life cycle in which the virus infects a host cell, replicates, and ultimately causes the host cell to rupture, releasing new viruses.

Lysogenic Cycle

A viral life cycle in which the virus integrates its DNA into the host's DNA and remains dormant until triggered to enter the lytic cycle.

Transduction

The process by which a bacteriophage transfers genetic material from one bacterium to another.

Plaque Assay

A method used to measure the number of viral particles in a sample by counting the zones of cleared bacteria caused by viral lysis.

Titer

A measure of the concentration of antibodies in the blood, used to determine immunity.

CRISPR

A revolutionary gene-editing technology developed from mechanisms that bacteria use to defend against viruses.

Aviary Flu

A type of infectious disease caused by influenza viruses that primarily infect birds.

Bacterial Phage

A virus that specifically infects bacteria.

Nomenclature

The system of naming, especially in a scientific context.