vocab

capsid - protein shell of a virus that surrounds & protects the genetic material

retroviruses - some viruses that hv RNA as their genetic material, & use reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA into DNA, which is injected into the host cell

• so they use DNA intermediates to replicate

RNA viruses - different from retroviruses as they hv simple structure & use their RNA to replicate & produce viral proteins

envelope - a membrane that surrounds the capsid & is made of proteins and lipids

• virus gains envelope from host cell membrane when it’s released

• protects capsid

• also protects viral genome

• helps disguise virus from immune system

• 
  

  

endosome - membrane-bound vesicles that’re formed through endocytosis

receptor-mediated fusion - process where virus binds to receptor on host cell membrane to fuse with membrane & enter cell

• bacteriophage lambda carries out this process, binding to specific receptor on host cell membrane & injecting genetic material into cell

• 
  

  

lytic cycle - one way of viral genome reproducing in host cell

• involves viral genome being injected into host cell

• viral genome takes over & begins to produce new viral particles

• viral particles lyse host cell, & are released to infect other cells

lysogenic cycle - other way of viral genome reproducing in host cell

• viral genome becomes integrated with host cell genome

• as host cell reproduces, each new cell contains bacteriophage genome - prophage