Viral Replication

Viral Lifecycle

The sequence of events that describes how a virus infects a host cell, replicates, assembles, and exits to infect new cells.

Inoculation phase

The phase where a virus attaches to and enters a host cell, beginning the infection process.

Eclipse phase

The period within the cell after viral entry where the virus disassembles and begins to replicate, but before new virions are produced.

Capsid

The protein shell that encases the viral genome and helps the virus attach to and enter host cells.

Endocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs material from its surroundings, allowing viruses to enter host cells.

mRNA (messenger RNA)

A type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new strands of nucleic acids according to a template, critical in both viral replication and cellular processes.

Retrovirus

A type of virus that uses RNA as its genetic material and reverse transcription to integrate into the host genome.

Glycoprotein

A protein with carbohydrates attached that is crucial for receptor binding and entry of viruses into host cells.

Budding

The process by which new virions are released from a host cell's membrane to infect other cells.

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA, which can then be translated into proteins.

Ribosome

The cellular machinery that translates mRNA into proteins, essential for viral protein synthesis.

Endosomes

Membrane-bound compartments within cells that can facilitate the entry of viruses via membrane fusion.

Kinesins

Motor proteins in cells that transport vesicles, including viral components, along microtubules.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from an RNA template, used by RNA viruses to replicate their genomes.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that can be induced by viruses as a strategy to release virions.

Host cell

A cell that a virus infects in order to replicate and produce new virus particles.

Viral replication

The process by which a virus reproduces itself inside a host cell.

Transmission

The process of spreading a virus from one host cell to another, which can occur through various pathways.

Zika virus

A viral infection transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, known for causing birth defects when contracted during pregnancy.