11.

1 Viruses
Write all things in red, sequentially in your notebook

EQ: What are viruses, what are they made of, and what do they do to cells?

What are viruses?

• Nonliving particles
• Made of proteins, nucleic acids (DNA or RNA but never both);
• Not made of cells
• “Parasites”; They cannot replicate on their own; need a host cell to make them new virus parts…
because they can’t (they have the genetic recipes, but no way to make proteins)
• Cell Hijackers - viruses take over the cell’s protein synthesis process and
direct the cell to make viruses instead of cell parts

Viral Structure
• SUPER small (smaller than all types of cells because they need to fit inside cells) - Need an electron
microscope to see them
• LINK: Cell Size and Scale

• Three main parts:

1. Genetic Material
• DNA or RNA… but never both
• The viral genes override the cell’s genes, telling the
cell to make virus parts instead of cell parts

2. Capsid Covering
• Made of Protein

Membrane/Envelope
• SOME viruses have this extra covering
• Made of lipids and created by host cell so virus isn’t recognizable

3. Surface Proteins (ANTIGENS)

• Bind to receptor proteins on cells
• Trick the cell to let in the virus
 If the viral surface
proteins match the
surface proteins on
the cell, it can enter!

• Most infect only one type of cell (If a host cell lacks the receptor for a virus, it cannot/will not
take in the virus. For example, mouse nerve cells lack receptors for polio viruses and thus are
resistant to polio virus. Similarly, humans are resistant to plant and many animal viruses.)

Virus Type of Cell Infected

T-Cells; Leukocytes (immune system
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
cells)
FLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) Immune system cells of cats
Tobacco Mosaic Leaf cells on a tobacco plant
Influenza (human) Respiratory system cells
Salivary Glands & Nerve cells of many
Rabies
animals
Herpes simplex type I (cold sores) Nerve cells around mouht
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus); Genital
Nerve cells in genital area
Warts; Herpes Simplex Type II
Varicella zoster (chicken pox & shingles) Certain nerve cells in skin
Hepatitis Human liver cells
Bacteriophage (bacteria + eater) or
Certain types of bacteria
Prophage

Viruses come in lots of different shapes

Bacteriophage Tobacco Human Flu

or Phage Mosaic Virus Virus

Viruses Vs. Cells

• Viruses are NOT alive, but, after infecting a host cell, they can replicate, mutate & evolve
• Viruses are much smaller and simpler than cells
• Probably evolved AFTER cells since they need them to exist; maybe came from the genetic material of
living cells
Viral Infections / Viral Replication (NOT reproduction)
Two Types… but the result is the same…… CELL DEATH

1. Lytic Cycle Virus kills the host cell quickly by LYSING it (Lyse = to cut)
Common Cold; Flu, any virus that shows symptoms quickly

Attach – Virus attaches to the host cell

Invade - Virus injects its genetic material

Attach

Copy – Host cell’s machinery copies and creates

new viral genetic material and protein coats
Invade

Assemble – New viruses are assembled from the

newly created materials Copy

Release – Cell is lysed open, killing it and new

viruses are released to go and infect
Assemble
other cells
2. Lysogenic Cycle Virus “hides out” in the host cell until triggered to begin replication, following the
lytic cycle HIV; Cold Sores; Warts (any virus that doesn’t show symptoms right away)

4. Assemble

5. Release
3. Copy
1. Attach
& Invade

2. HIDE OUT
Lytic Cycle
New viruses are made right away

Lysogenic Cycle
The virus recipe hides out
indefinitely before the cell starts
making virus parts

1. Answer the EQ and update your notebook

2. Complete the following new vocabulary terms: (1) Virus, (2) Capsid, (3) Antigen,
(4) Lytic cycle, (5) Lysis, (6) Lysogenic cycle