By, Mackenzie Pabst VIRUSES; SECTION 18-1 What is a Virus? disease-causing, nonliving particle composed of an inner core of nucleic acids surrounded by a capsid A virus replicates inside living cells called host cells Why are Viruses Non-Living? Viruses are nonliving because: They don't exhibit all the criteria for life Criteria for life includes: Respiration, growth and development All viruses can do is replicate Replication is making exact copies of themselves with the help of living cells How are Viruses Named? Some Viruses are named after the disease they cause Example: Rabies Virus Other viruses were named for the organ or tissue they infect. Example: The Adenovirus effects the adenoid tissue How does a Virus attach to a Host Cell? For a virus to replicate, it must enter a host cell When a virus’ proteins interlock with the receptor site, the virus is attached to its host cell The attachment process is like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle fitting together Virus Attachment Each virus has a specifically shaped attachment protein Viruses are species specific Some Viruses are cell-type specific Example: polio viruses normally infect only intestinal and nerve cells. Lytic Cycle: A. Attachment: The Virus attaches to the Host Cell B. Entry: The Bacteriophage injects its nucleic acid into the bacterial cell C. Replication : The host’s metabolic machinery makes the virus’ nucleic acid and proteins Lytic Cycle: D. Assembly: New Virus Parts are made E. Lysis and Release: The host cell breaks open and releases new viruses • This results in the killing of the host cell Another Viral Replication Process… Of an Enveloped Virus: After attachment, the membrane of the host cell surrounds the virus This produces a virusfilled vacuole inside the host cell's cytoplasm. The virus bursts out of the vacuole and releases its nucleic acid into the cell. The Lysogenic Cycle The Lysogenic Cycle: Begins the same way as the Lytic Cycle The virus attaches to the host cell and its nucleic acid is injected into the cell. Then the viral DNA is integrated into the host cell's chromosomes This is done instead of immediately taking over the host's genetic material (As in the Lytic Cycle) This Cycle does not kill its host cell RNA Viruses: Many Viruses, including HIV, are RNA viruses This means their only nucleic acid is RNA The RNA virus with the most complex replication cycle is the Retrovirus The Retrovirus - uses reverse transcriptase to make DNA from viral RNA the retroviral DNA is then integrated into the host cell's chromosome Retrovirus Cycle: Retrovirus Cycle: Once inside a host cell, the retrovirus makes DNA from its RNA with reverse transcriptase Reverse transriptase produces doublestranded DNA from the viral RNA. The double-stranded viral DNA becomes part of the host cell’s chromosome and it becomes a provirus Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) HIV infects white blood cells in humans The infected cells still function normally Because the viral genetic material is a provirus that only produces a small number of new viruses at a time An infected person will not appear sick Can infect others with the virus through body fluids Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Most people with HIV will get AIDS Over time, more white blood cells are infected and killed White Blood cells are essential to our immune system Their destruction reduces the body’s ability to protect itself from other viruses Virus’ link to Cancer: Some viruses have been linked to certain cancers in humans and animals Viruses can disrupt the normal growth and division of cells in a host This causes abnormal growth and creates tumors Prions: Are composed of proteins but have no nucleic acid to carry genetic information Are thought to act by causing other proteins to fold themselves incorrectly, resulting in improper functioning Responsible for many animal diseases Example: Mad Cow Disease Viroids: Composed of a single circular strand of RNA with no protein coat Shown to cause infectious diseases in several plants. Have less RNA than most viruses Plant Viruses: There are more than 400 plant viruses Plant Viruses can cause stunted growth and yield losses in their host plants. The first virus to be identified as a plant virus was the tobacco mosaic virus Plant Viruses: Do not undergo lytic or lysogenic phases Plant Viruses are named according to their host plant. Not all viral plant diseases are fatal or even harmful. The Mosaic virus, as seen in the following picture, cause patterns of color in the flowers of plants.