CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRUSES

*
Viruses are parasites.
-A parasite is an organism
that depends upon another
living organism for its
existence in such a way
that it harms that
organism.
Characteristics of Viruses:
Viruses are acellular
Not a cell as it has no
nucleus, cytoplasm or
organelles
Viruses consist of two main
parts: 1. Nucleic Acid – DNA or
RNA found at the core of the
virus 2. Capsid – Protein coat
surrounding the genetic
material
Some viruses have an outer
envelope made of lipids (fats)
and proteins covering the
capsid
*LIVING CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRUSES

*Contains genetic material

* Able to reproduce (within host cell only)
* Able to invade host cell and reprogram cellular
machinery
* Causes an infectious disease Able to mutate
* NON-LIVING CHARACTERISTICS OF VIRUSES

* No metabolic needs – Doesn’t eat, breathe, sleep,

produce etc.
* Not made of cells Able to crystalize and remain
dormant Because viruses contain both living and non-
living characteristics they are considered to be
transitional between life and non-life
Viruses cause human diseases.
These include:
* smallpox
* the common cold and different types of flu
* measles, mumps, chicken pox
* hepatitis
* herpes and cold sores
* polio
* rabies
* Ebola and Hanta fever
* HIV, the virus that causes AIDS
* dengue fever, Zika, and Epstein-Barr
Chicken pox Measles Herpes viruses
 Discovery of Viruses

Beijerinck (1897) coined the Latin name “virus”

meaning poison

Wendell Stanley (1935) discovered viruses

were made of nucleic acid and protein
Reducing the Risk
They can’t be treated but they can be
prevented!

 Cover mouth/nose when you sneeze of cough

 Wash hands frequently
 Avoid contact with the body fluids
 Not foolproof but reduces the risks