Viruses

  1. What is a virus?
    A submicroscopic, parasitic, filterable agent consisting of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed by a protein coat which multiplies inside living cells and force cell to synthesize structures which spread virus to other cells.
  2. Why are viruses tough to fight with drugs?
    Because they are hiding inside cells (drug would kill the cell), antibiotics kill probiotic cells, and there are few drugs that kill viruses.
  3. What type of microscope is used to observe viruses?
    Electron Microscope
  4. Viruses that infect bacterial cells are called _?_.
    Bacteriophage, or phage
  5. The protein coat that surrounds the genetic material is the _?_.
    Capsid
  6. Each capsid is composed of protein subunits called _?_.
    Capsomeres
  7. _?_ can have a polyhedral (many sided) geometric shape, or a helical tube-like shape.
    Non-enveloped viruses
  8. _?_ are roughly spherical, have an envelope membrane (composed of lipid, protein and carbohydrate) that surrounds the capsid, in some viruses.
    Enveloped viruses
  9. Some viruses, particularly bacterial viruses, have complicated structures and are called _?_.
    Complex viruses
  10. In the _?_, phage multiply rapidly and cause cell to burst (cell lysis).
    Lytic cycle
  11. In the _?_, phage insert DNA into host's DNA where it remains dormant for long periods; certain conditions can trigger this to begin.
    Lysogenic cycle
  12. Also known as budding; when phage have gained their genetic components from host cell and are ready to infect other cells.
    Phage, or genetic, burst
  13. _?_ is a way for DNA from one bacterial cell to be transferred to another bacterial cell through viral infection.
    Transduction
  14. Many devastating diseases are caused by viruses- can you name some?
    • AIDS
    • Smallpox
    • Chickenpox
    • Polio
    • Influenza
    • Rabies
    • Ebola
    • Rubella
    • Herpes
  15. _?_ are clear spots that show up on a lawn of bacteria when virus particles are present and have successfully infected cells on plate.
    Plaques
  16. What is a lawn?
    A solid layer of bacterial cell growth on a plate.
  17. A virus characterized by a period of no symptoms when virus is inactive is known as a _?_.
    Latent virus
  18. A virus that is capable of producing tumors is known as an _?_.
    Oncogenic virus
Author
Shira
ID
283641
Card Set
Viruses
Description
Terms/ideas relating to viruses
Updated