Viruses

Virus: A noncellular particle composed

of genetic material that can invade
living cells.
Viruses are considered by most to be nonliving since they lack metabolism and are not
made of cells.
Are extremely small
Are usually very specific as to what cells they can
invade

Structure of a Virus:

Contain core of genetic information (either DNA

or RNA).
Genetic material surrounded by a protein coat
called a capsid.

Life Cycles of viruses Lytic infection:

Infection: Virus identifies an attaches itself to a host cell. The

genetic material is then injected into the host cell.
Growth: Genetic material of virus overrides host cell's
activities. Cell is now instructed to replicate viral genetic
material and protein coats.
Lysis: Cell is lysed "broken open" and new viruses are released
to infect other cells. This kills the host cell

Life Cycles of viruses Lysogenic infection:

Similar to lytic infection however important
differences exist
Instead of immediately replicating, viral DNA
incorporates itself into the host cell's DNA.
Will remain dormant for significant amounts of time.
Give certain conditions, the virus will enter it's lytic
phase similar to a normal lytic infection

Retroviruses
A new form of virus has been identified known as
a retrovirus.
Retroviruses are RNA viruses which can conduct a
process known as Reverse Transcription
In reverse transcription RNA is used to make DNA (the
reverse of the normal RNA transcription process).

HIV is a retrovirus.

Virus Shapes