Explain why viruses are considered non-living.

They lack metabolism, cannot reproduce independently, do not grow, and require a host cell to replicate.

A protein coat surrounding the viral genome, protecting it and aiding infection.

State the types of nucleic acids found in viruses.

DNA or RNA, single-stranded or double-stranded.

Describe the structure of an enveloped virus.

Has a lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane surrounding the capsid.

Explain the function of viral surface proteins.

Help the virus attach to and enter specific host cells (host specificity).

Define host specificity.

Viruses infect only certain species or tissues due to matching surface proteins and receptors.

Outline the lytic cycle.

Virus enters host, hijacks metabolism, replicates, assembles, and causes cell lysis to release new viruses.

Outline the lysogenic cycle.

Viral DNA integrates into host genome, replicates with host cell, can later enter the lytic cycle.

A virus that uses reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA inside the host cell (e.g., HIV).

Explain the role of reverse transcriptase.

Converts viral RNA → DNA for integration into host genome.

Explain why antibiotics do not work on viruses.

Viruses lack metabolism and cell structures targeted by antibiotics.

Describe one method used by the immune system to fight viruses.

Antibodies bind viral antigens to neutralize viruses and mark infected cells for destruction.

Explain antigenic variation.

Viruses mutate rapidly, changing surface proteins to evade the immune system.

Define viral latency.

A state where the virus remains dormant inside host cells and may reactivate later.

State one reason why viral diseases are difficult to treat.

High mutation rate, intracellular location, and limited drug targets.

Explain how vaccines protect against viruses.

Introduce antigens that stimulate immune memory, allowing rapid response to future infections.

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viruses

Term	Definition
Explain why viruses are considered non-living.	They lack metabolism, cannot reproduce independently, do not grow, and require a host cell to replicate.
Define capsid.	A protein coat surrounding the viral genome, protecting it and aiding infection.
State the types of nucleic acids found in viruses.	DNA or RNA, single-stranded or double-stranded.
Describe the structure of an enveloped virus.	Has a lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane surrounding the capsid.
Explain the function of viral surface proteins.	Help the virus attach to and enter specific host cells (host specificity).
Define host specificity.	Viruses infect only certain species or tissues due to matching surface proteins and receptors.
Outline the lytic cycle.	Virus enters host, hijacks metabolism, replicates, assembles, and causes cell lysis to release new viruses.
Outline the lysogenic cycle.	Viral DNA integrates into host genome, replicates with host cell, can later enter the lytic cycle.
State one example of a lytic virus.	Influenza virus or Ebola.
State one example of a lysogenic virus.	HIV or herpes virus.
Define retrovirus.	A virus that uses reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA inside the host cell (e.g., HIV).
Explain the role of reverse transcriptase.	Converts viral RNA → DNA for integration into host genome.
Explain why antibiotics do not work on viruses.	Viruses lack metabolism and cell structures targeted by antibiotics.
Describe one method used by the immune system to fight viruses.	Antibodies bind viral antigens to neutralize viruses and mark infected cells for destruction.
Explain antigenic variation.	Viruses mutate rapidly, changing surface proteins to evade the immune system.
Define viral latency.	A state where the virus remains dormant inside host cells and may reactivate later.
State one reason why viral diseases are difficult to treat.	High mutation rate, intracellular location, and limited drug targets.
Explain how vaccines protect against viruses.	Introduce antigens that stimulate immune memory, allowing rapid response to future infections.

Created by: user-1970252

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