Viruses

Page 328
1- Viruses are much smaller than bacteria

2- Virus is about 20nm in diameter

3- Viruses are not cells

4- A virus is a genome
‫حـض نوـوـى‬
‫اـم‬ enclosed in a
protective coat‫غءاـطـ وـاقى‬

Fig. 18.1, Page 329

 Virus is a genome enclosed in a protective coat

Genome
(DNA/RNA)

Protein coat (capsid)

Fig. 18.2a & b, Page 330

 Viral Capsid and Envelope
A- Capsid ‫ا((لجدار ا((لفيروسى‬
 A protein shell that encloses the viral genome.
 It is rode-shaped, helical, polyhedral or more complex.
 Capsomeres: Are the protein units that form capsid.

Capsomeres
(proteins)
Capsid

Membranous envelop
(viral envelope)

Sometimes further rapped‫ ُي َغلَّف‬in a membranous

envelope (Viral envelope ‫) ا((لغالفا((لفيروسى‬, eg. Influenza virus.
Page 329, 330
 B- Envelop ‫ا((لغطاء ا((لفيروسى‬

 Some viruses have viral

envelopes, membranes
cloaking their capsids.

 These envelopes are derived

from the membrane of the host
cell.

Fig. 18.2c, Page 330

 Viral Genome:
(Hereditary
material ‫)ا((لمادة ا((لورا(ثية‬
Viral genomes may consist of:
- double-stranded DNA (dsDNA),
- single-stranded DNA (ssDNA),
- double-stranded RNA (dsRNA),
- single-stranded RNA (ssRNA).
depending on the specific type of
virus.

The viral genome is usually organized

as a single linear or circular molecule
of nucleic acid.

The smallest viruses have only four

genes, while the largest have several
hundred.

Fig. 18.1, Page 328

 Key Characters Viruses
- DNA enclosed in a protein coat (sometimes, membranous envelop also)

- Can be crystallised ‫ي((تبلور‬

- Each type of virus infects a limited range of host cells

(host range ‫)مدىا((إلصابة‬

- They lack ‫ ي((فتقد‬enzymes for metabolism

- Have no ribosomes for making their own proteins

- Reproduced only within a living host cell (obligate parasitism‫)ت((طفل إ(جبارى‬.

Most viruses of eukaryotes attack specific tissues. eg. Human cold

viruses infect only the cells lining the upper respiratory tract, and
AIDS virus binds only to certain white blood cells (Immune system).
Virus-Reproduction within a living host cell Living
obligate parasitism‫جـاـرى‬
‫طفل إ ب‬
‫تــ‬ Cell

1-Inters the cell and releases its genome

2- Replicates using host

nucleotides and enzymes

Viral RNA
3- Produce a new capsid units using
host cell resources.

4- The new viral DNA and proteins

assemble to form new viruses Capsid
Proteins

Page 331 (Fig. 18.3)

  A viral infection begins when
the genome of the virus enters
the host cell.

 Once inside, the viral genome

commandeers its host,
reprogramming the cell to copy
viral nucleic acid and
manufacture proteins from the
viral genome.

 The nucleic acid molecules and

capsomeres then self-assemble
into viral particles and exit the
cell.

Fig. 18.3, Page 331

 Viruses with an outer envelope
use the envelope to enter the
host cell.

 Glycoproteins on the envelope bind to

specific receptors on the host’s membrane.
 The envelope fuses with the host’s
membrane, transporting the capsid and
viral genome inside.
 The viral genome duplicates and directs
the host’s protein synthesis machinery to
synthesize capsomeres with free ribosomes
and glycoproteins with bound ribosomes.
 After the capsid and viral genome self-
assemble, they bud from the host cell
covered with an envelope derived from the
host’s plasma membrane, including viral
glycoproteins.

 These enveloped viruses do not

necessarily kill the host cell.

Fig. 18.6, Page 334

  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that
causes AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome)
is a retrovirus.

The viral particle includes:

1) an envelope with glyco-

proteins,
2) a capsid containing
two identical RNA strands
as its genome
3) Two copies of reverse
transcriptase.

Fig. 18.7a, Page 336

 Bacteria infecting Viruses

 Viruses that infect bacteria,

are called bacteriophages or
phages.

 It has a 20-sided capsid-head

that encloses their DNA and
protein tail piece that attaches
the phage to the host and
injects the phage DNA inside.

 Phages reproduce by Lytic

Cycle (‫ ) تـــحــــللية مميتــــة دورة‬and/or
Lysogenic cycle (‫ ) تـــحـللية دورة غير‬.

Fig. 18.2d Page 330

 Bacteriophages (on E. coli)
Phages reproductive cycles within bacteria:

Virus
Virus Bacteria
Bacteria

1)- lytic cycle (‫ )ا((لتحـللية ا((لدورة‬,

The phage reproductive cycle results in the death of the host.
– In the last stage, the bacterium lyses (breaks open) and releases
the phages produced within the cell to infect others.
• Virulent phages ‫ ف(((يروساتق((اتلة‬reproduce only by a lytic cycle.
 Phage T4
(virulent viruses)
‫فيروس مميت‬

Fig. 18.4, Page 332

 2)- lysogenic cycle (‫)ا((لتحـللية ا((لدور(ة غير‬
Phage lambda (‫)ג‬
The phage genome replicates without destroying
Temperate
the host cell. virus
‫فـيــروس‬
 Temperate phages, like phage lambda (‫)ג‬, ‫غير مميت‬
may use both lytic and lysogenic cycles.
 Within the host, the virus’ circular DNA
engages in either the lytic or lysogenic cycle.
 During a lytic cycle, the viral gene immediately turn the
host cell into a virus-producing factory, and the cell
soon lyses and releases its viral products.
 2)- Lysogenic cycle (‫)ا((لتحـللية ا((لدورة غير‬

Unit 3
Fig. 18.5, Page 333
 Phage T4 Phage lambda (‫)ג‬

Many tail fibre Only 1 tail fibre

(virulent viruses) Temperate virus
‫فيروس مميت‬ ‫فيروس غير مميت أحيانا‬

lytic cycle Lysogenic cycle

(‫)ا((لتحـللية ا((لدورة‬ (‫)ا((لتحـللية ا((لدورة غير‬
&
lytic cycle
(‫)ا((لتحـللية ا((لدورة‬