COVID-19 and Respiratory Viruses Lecture

Flashcards covering key concepts related to COVID-19, coronaviruses, and respiratory viruses.

COVID-19

An infectious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, first identified in December 2019.

SARS-CoV-2

The virus responsible for COVID-19, believed to have originated in horseshoe bats.

Coronaviruses

A family of viruses known for causing respiratory illnesses, including the common cold and serious diseases such as SARS and MERS.

ACE2 receptor

A receptor found on human cells that SARS-CoV-2 attaches to, facilitating infection.

Incubation period

The time period between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms; for SARS-CoV-2, it's typically 2 to 14 days.

Spike protein

A protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that allows it to enter human cells, targeted by vaccines.

Vaccination

The process of receiving a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to protect against specific diseases.

mRNA vaccine

A type of vaccine that uses messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a protein similar to a viral protein, prompting an immune response.

Asymptomatic carrier

An individual who is infected with a virus but shows no symptoms and can still spread the virus.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population.

Emerging viruses

Viruses that are newly identified or have recently increased in incidence, often leading to public health concerns.

Pangolin

A mammal believed to be an intermediary host in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from bats to humans.

Influenza

A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, capable of causing epidemics.

RNA genome

The genetic material composed of ribonucleic acid found in some viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

2 forms of respiration

are aerobic and anaerobic respiration, which refers to the processes by which cells obtain energy.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen, commonly used in food production and biofuel.

Aerobic respiration

glycolysis, krebs cycle, electron transport chain. Oxygen is final acceptor of electrons

Glycolysis

splitting of sugars into pyruvate

Glycolysis products

2 ATP, pyruvate, 2NADH

where does glycolysis occur

the cytoplasm

Krebs cycle

starts from 1 pyruvic acid which is cycled twice. One cycle nets you 2 ATP, 8 NADH, 2 FADH, and 6 CO2

Where does the krebs cycle occur

Mitochondria and eukaryotic cells and cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells

NAD and FAD

electron acceptors

NADH and FADH

electron transports

What is the net gain of atp in the ETC?

38 ATP

what is the gross gain of ATP in the ETC

34 ATP

anaerobic respiration

A metabolic process that occurs without oxygen, generating energy by converting glucose into energy substrates like lactic acid or ethanol, and producing a net gain of ATP.

steps in anaerobic respiration

glycolysis, fermentation, and ETC

Does the electron transport chain require oxygen

Yes, the electron transport chain (ETC) requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor to produce ATP efficiently.

where does chemiosmosis occur

occurs in the Electron transport chain.

substrate level phosphorylation

is a way of producing ATP directly in metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle, without the need for oxygen.

what pathway does substrate level phosphorylation occur

Glycolysis and citric acid cycle.

lactic acid fermentation

is an anaerobic process that converts glucose into energy, producing lactic acid as a byproduct, mainly occurring in muscle cells.

alcohol fermentation

is an anaerobic process that converts glucose into energy, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide as byproducts, commonly occurring in yeast.