 Viruses are particles of

nucleic acid, protein, and

lipids that invade living
cells and reproduce. They
are composed of a core of
DNA or RNA surrounded
by a protein coat called a
capsid.
 Examples of Viruses:
Influenza, colds, chicken
pox, measles, polio, and
AIDS.
 1. Shape – they come in a variety of shapes.
(see next slide)
 2. Size 20-400 nanometers.
1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter.
 3. Specificity = certain viruses only infect
certain organisms…your dog can’t get
chickenpox!
 Retroviruses: Contain
RNA as their genetic
information. It is then
copied to DNA. This is
“backwards” or “retro”.
 Viruses are considered
parasites because they
must infect a living cell in
order to grow and
reproduce.
 1. Lytic Infection – a
virus enters a cell, makes
copies of itself and causes
the cell to burst
 Attaches, entry,
replication, assembly and
release
 http://
www.npr.org/templates/st
ory/story.php?storyId
=114075029
 Lysogenic Infection – a
virus integrates its
DNA into the DNA of
the host cell. It many
remain inactive for a
period of time.
 The viral DNA is
called a prophage.
 1. Vaccine – a weakened
dose of the virus. When
injected it usually prompts
the body to produce an
immune reaction to
prevent illness.
 2. Interferon – proteins
that prevent virus from
attaching to your cells
and reproducing.
 3. Antibodies – immune system proteins that
attack and kill bacteria and viruses.