5 lectures total for viruses

this lecture is small apparently

virology → study of viruses

virus →acellular, smallest infectious agent

• bacteria can be seen by light micro

• viruses are by e-microscope

  • because they are so small
  • so small they can infect bacteria

• has a nucleic acid, could be either dna or rna

  • it cannot have both, one or the other

viruses cannot be subcultured in the same media of the bacteria

• they need a host cell

• inert outside, but inside, they’re not

  • the best way to describe viruses as a box
  • it’s made of protein
  • the box has to enclose nucleic acid(rna or dna)
    • the box can be alone or wrapped (eveneloped)
    • some viruses remain as is (box with nucleic acid
    • some need a further layer (as if you’re wrapping a gift) → envelope
      • either has the envelope or not

• comparison to bacteria

1. no nucleus
2. no mitochndria
3. no ribosome