WHAT THE HECK IS A VIRUS?

1
WHAT THE HECK IS A VIRUS?

• The Form, Reproduction, and Genetics of Viruses

2
(No Transcript)
3
Viral Shapes
4
More Viral Forms
Flu Viruses
HIV
Soybean Viruses
Phage Viruses
5
Emerging Viruses

• Neuron Capacity Overload Virus

Similar in shape to the bacteriophages, such as
T-2
The virus was discovered in 1988 by German
Scientist Oskar P. Sundenkamne at the University
of Bonn, Germany. Dr. Sundenkamne is well known
for his research in neurology, particularly for
his discovery of acetyl-pepstatin binding
membranes in 1986. His interest in the Neuron
Capacity Overload Virus was piqued when he
noticed its tendencies to attack certain types of
brain cells, a phenomenon unusual to viruses.
6
Other Kinds of Viruses
What a relief, doc!  For a second there I
thought you said my computer had the virus!
7
Structure of the T-2 Phage
The Capsid Is an iscosahedron a 20-sided shape
8
Viral Reproductive Cycle
9
T-4 Phage Lytic Cycle
10
Lambda Phage Life Cycles
11
Cycle of An Enveloped Virus
By coating itself with cell membrane, the virus
avoids detection by the victims immune system.
12
HIV A Retrovirus
13
HIV Entering a Cell
14
Plants Have Viruses Too!
15
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
16
Emerging Viruses
Ebola Virus (filovirus family)
Hantavirus
http//www.stanford.edu/group/virus/viruslist.html
http//www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVDiseaseLi
st.html
17
Other Weird Infectious Agents

• Viroids
• Prions

18
VIROIDS

• Viroids are smaller than viruses
• Naked, circular RNA.
• Affect plants

Master List of Viroids
19
PRIONS

• Infectious proteins
• Cause Degenerative Brain Disease
• BSE mad cow disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob disease,
  scrapie, and Kuru

20
Do All Scientists Agree?

• No Not all scientists believe that Prions are
  the cause of BSE or nvCJD
• A slow-acting virus may be the cause
• No treatment exists

National Institute of Health Research In The
News
A.S.M Microbe File Story All About Prions
NOVA Do Prions Exist? Conflicting Viewpoints.
Click here for the Leicester Microbiology Dept.
for a detailed overview of Prions and Prion
disorders
21
For More Information

• Center For Disease Control (CDC), Washinton, D.C.
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
• National Library of Medicine (Page for
  vaccination and immunization info.)
• National Institute of Health (Home Page)
• National Immunization Program (Adult)
• National Immunization Program (Child)