Virus

Alyssa Oriarte BSE - Science III

VIRUS
Is an infectious agent of small
size and simple composition that
can multiply only in living cells
of animals, plants, or bacteria.
From a Latin word meaning
“slimy liquid” or “poison.”
Are known for causing disease,
as they've triggered widespread
outbreaks of illness and death
throughout human history.
Are viruses Viruses are complicated
assemblies of molecules,
living or non-
including proteins, nucleic
living? acids, lipids, and carbohydrates,
but on their own they can do
nothing until they enter a living
cell. Without cells, viruses
would not be able to multiply.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF VIRUS
Non living structures
Non-cellular
Contain a protein coat called the
capsid
Have a nucleic acid core
containing DNA or RNA
Capable of reproducing only
when inside a HOST cell
Some viruses may have spikes to
help attach to the host cell
Most viruses infect only SPECIFIC
host cells
TYPES OF VIRUSES
Viral shapes
Helical Viruses
Are made up of a single
type of protein subunit
stacked around a
central axis to form a
helical structure. The
helix may have a
hollow center, which
makes it look like a
hollow tube.
polyhedral virus
These are many-
sided viruses. Their
capsids can have
different numbers of
sides. Most
polyhedral viruses
have 20 triangular
sides and 12 vertices
(corners).
Spherical virus
Like the infamous corona
virus, these viruses appear
spherical in shape, but a
closer look actually reveals
they are icosahedral. The
icosahedron is made up of
equilateral triangles fused
together in a spherical
shape.
 Complex virus
Viruses with
asymmetrical structures
DNA
Head are referred to as
“complex. ” These viruses
Protein
Collar
possess a capsid that is
neither purely helical nor
Tail purely icosahedral, and
may possess extra
Long Tail
structures such as protein
Fibres
Base Plate
tails or a complex outer
2D 3D walls.
Capsomere - is a subunit of the capsid, an outer
covering of protein that protects the genetic material
of a virus. Capsomeres self-assemble to form the
capsid.
Capsid - the protein shell of a virus, enclosing its
genetic material.
Glycoprotein - molecules that comprise protein and
carbohydrate chains that are involved in many
physiological functions including immunity. Many
viruses have glycoproteins that help them enter
bodily cells.
How a virus infects
a host cell?
Viral replication
ATTACHMENT

It is the first step of viral

replication.
The virus attaches to the cell
membrane of the host cell. It
then injects its DNA or RNA
into the host to initiate
infection.
There, they interact with
receptors specific to them and
their host cells.
ENTRY/PENETRATION
The virus enters the cell
In animal cells these viruses
get into the cell through the
process of endocytosis
In plant cells it enters through
the process of pinocytosis
which works on pinching of
the viruses.
Endocytosis
The process by which cells take
in substances from outside of
the cell by engulfing them in a
vesicle. These can include
things like nutrients to support
the cell or pathogens that
immune cells engulf and
destroy
Pinocytosis
Refers to the uptake of extracellular
fluids and dissolved solutes, such as
fat droplets, vitamins, and antigens.
Is derived from the Greek word
“pino,” meaning “to drink,” and
“cyto,” meaning “cell.” Therefore,
the process of pinocytosis can be
thought of as cellular drinking.
This involves the viral
capsid degrading, either by
the action of viral or host
enzymes. This releases the
genomic information
(mostly in RNA form, but
can be in DNA form). This
enables the start of
replication.
Replication
Genomic information are being
replicated through transcription or
translation for RNA or DNA. The result
of the replication step is the synthesis
of the viral genome and proteins.
Assembly/Maturation
The products of the
replication step can be post-
transcriptionally modified.
The viral proteins and viral
genome are then packed into
new virions which can be
released from the host cell
VIRION RELEASE
The release of virions from the host cell
can occur via two main methods.
The lysis method results in the
death of the host cell and the
viruses that do this are usually
referred to as cytolytic viruses.
Another method is by
accumulating the virus particles in
vesicles and releasing them via
exocytosis.
 Exocytosis
Exocytosis is the process by
which cells move materials
from within the cell into the
extracellular fluid.
Exocytosis occurs when a
vesicle fuses with the
plasma membrane,
allowing its contents to be
released outside the cell.