Viruses

What is a Virus? A microscopic particle that gets inside a cell and often destroys the cell. Examples: Common cold Flu Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Viral Characteristics Small Smaller than the smallest bacteria About 5 billion virus particles could fit into a single drop of blood. Can change rapidly Think about the flu vaccine…why can’t you simply get a flu shot one time and be vaccinated for life?

Non-Living Characteristics Living Characteristics Are Viruses Living? Non-Living Characteristics Doesn’t eat (metabolism) Doesn’t grow Doesn’t use oxygen Can only reproduce inside a living cell that serves as a host Using the host cell as a factory, the virus forces the cell to make a virus rather than a healthy new cell. Can only function inside of a host Living Characteristics Has genetic material and proteins

Classification of Viruses Viruses can be grouped by their shape, the type of disease they cause, or the kind of genetic material they contain.

Shapes of Viruses Crystals Spheres Cylinders Spacecraft Example: The polio virus Spheres Example: Influenza viruses and HIV Cylinders Example: Tobacco mosaic virus Spacecraft Example: Viruses that attack bacteria

Structure of Viruses All viruses are made of genetic material inside a protein coat. The coat protects the genetic material and helps a virus enter a cell. Many viruses have a protein coat that matches the characteristics of their specific host. The genetic material is either DNA or RNA Both of these contain information for making proteins Viruses that cause warts and chicken pox contain DNA Viruses that cause colds, the flu, and HIV contain RNA

How do viruses make more of themselves? Viruses attack living cells and turn them into virus factories using the lytic cycle. Some viruses don’t enter directly into the lytic cycle but instead go into the lysogenic cycle which is then followed by the lytic cycle.

The Lytic Cycle The virus finds and joins itself to a host cell. The virus enters the cell or the virus’s genetic material is injected into the cell. Once the virus’s genes are inside, they take over the direction of the host cell and turn it into a virus factory. The new viruses break out of the host cell, which kills the host cell. The cycle begins again.

The Lysogenic Cycle The virus puts its genetic material into the cell but new viruses are not made right away. Each new cell gets a copy of the viral genetic material when the host cell divides. The genes stay inactive until the necessary amounts or conditions occur and then they become active. Once the genes are active, the cells enters the lytic cycle.

Treating a Virus Antibiotic? Fluids Antiviral medications Do not kill viruses Fluids Rest and drinking extra fluids is a way to help your body fight the infection. Antiviral medications Many stop viruses from replicating and eventually the virus dies out

Preventing Viral Infections Vaccinations Give the immune system a head start in fighting off viruses Good hygiene Washing hands regularly, avoid going to work/school when you have a fever, etc.