Viruses

Front

What is a virus?

Back

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that is non-living and cannot reproduce on its own. It requires a host cell to replicate.

Front

Do viruses have cells?

Back

No, viruses have no cells; they are acellular.

Front

What are spike proteins?

Back

Spike proteins are structures on the surface of viruses that allow them to attach to and enter host cells.

Front

How small are viruses compared to everyday objects?

Back

Viruses are extremely small; approximately 250,000 viruses can fit inside a grain of sand.

Front

What is the role of receptor sites on human cells regarding viruses?

Back

Receptor sites on human cells were originally made for other purposes, but some viruses have evolved to exploit these sites to enter the cells.

Front

Do viruses have organelles?

Back

No, viruses do not have organelles because they are not made of cells and are considered non-living.

Front

What is the structure of a virus?

Back

A virus typically consists of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid, and sometimes an outer lipid envelope.

Front

Can viruses reproduce on their own?

Back

No, viruses cannot reproduce independently; they must infect a host cell to replicate.

Front

What is a viral infection?

Back

A viral infection occurs when a virus enters a host organism, hijacks its cellular machinery, and replicates, often causing disease.

Front

How do vaccines work against viruses?

Back

Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight specific viruses, providing immunity without causing the disease.