Virus Flashcard

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What is a virus?

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A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.

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What does it mean for a virus to be latent?

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A latent virus is one that goes dormant in the host's body and does not replicate or cause symptoms for a period of time.

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How do viruses replicate?

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Viruses replicate by entering a host cell and hijacking the cell's machinery to produce new virus particles.

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What is the immune system's role in fighting viruses?

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The immune system identifies and destroys viruses to prevent infection and disease.

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What is cell specificity in viruses?

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Cell specificity refers to the ability of a virus to infect only certain types of cells in a host organism.

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What happens when a virus infects a cell?

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When a virus infects a cell, it can take over the cell's functions to replicate itself, often leading to cell damage or death.

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What are symptoms of viral infections?

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Symptoms of viral infections can include fever, fatigue, cough, and body aches, depending on the virus.

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How can viruses evade the immune system?

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Viruses can evade the immune system by hiding in cells, mutating, or producing proteins that interfere with immune responses.

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What is the difference between a lytic and a lysogenic cycle?

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In the lytic cycle, a virus immediately replicates and destroys the host cell, while in the lysogenic cycle, the virus integrates into the host's DNA and remains dormant.

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What is a vaccine?

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A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease by stimulating the immune system.