Appendix D 1

SCI/250 Version 3

University of Phoenix Material

Appendix D - Viruses

Review Chapter 10 of Microbiology: Principles and Exploration and the following Virus Animation
to help you complete the matrix below.
http://higheredbcs.wiley.com/legacy/college/black/0471420840/animations/ch10/ch10_Viruses/ind
ex.html

Review Figure 10.1 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations. Determine what the functions of
the following components are:
Component Function
Capsid The shell of protein that protects the nucleic acid of a virus
Envelope Cover the capsid
Nucleic acid the nucleic acid of each virus encodes the genetic information for the
synthesis of all proteins
Spikes (glycoproteins) help the virus identify receptors through which it may enter thus
helping it to bind to a cell
Respond to Critical Thinking Question 1 in Ch. 10 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations in
the space that follows.
Because a virus has a wall that is more genetically like the host, maiking it more difficult to
differentiate from healthy cell. That is why it is said that frequent hand washing is the best way to
avoid virus, once the virus gets in it uses the host DNA to replicate.
Using two or three sentences, explain in your own words how viruses are classified by type of
nucleic acid, capsid shape, and presence of envelope.
Explanation
Nucleic acid Nucleic acids are classified as either RNA and DNA then further
classified acording to their shape, whether it is circular or straight. Next
is single stranded or double stranded. Then it is positive or negative
stranded. And finally how comlex is the genome.
Capsid shape There are two main capsid shapes: helical and icosahedral. Helical
capsid are formed by a helix of structural proteins forming a long tube.
Icosahedral capside are more polygon shaped, forming a ball around
the genetic material
Presence of envelope Virus can either be enveloped or naked. Enveloped cells are more
susceptible to environmental changes but they can look like the
healthy host cells and therefore hide in the host. Naked viruses are
more resilient to environmental changes though they are more easily
detected in the host
Review Ch. 10 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations. Briefly describe each of the stages of
viral reproduction.
Stage Description
Absorption The virus attaches to specific reseptors on the outside of the cell
Penetration The virus injects its DNA into the bacterium
Synthesis Viral enzymes destroy the host cell chromosome, while the host cell
makes new viral components
Maturation Viral parts are assembled into ccomplete viruses
Release The virus lyse, or destroy their host cell as they exit . They will await
their next host cell
Respond to the following question from Ch. 10 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations in the
space that follows. Looking at the five steps in viral replication, can you identify some promising
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ways to prevent or control viral infections?

It’s a bit difficult ot say, i mean for one believe in infection control practise as a menas of avoiding
infection, which would mean stopping the absorption phase. Else, you really have no way to
know that you contracted a virus until it’s too late an you begin fellling ill. Once it’s dicovered that
virus has been acquired the only hope is an injection that would stop synthesis phases to prohibit
new viral cells production.
Respond to the following question from Ch. 10 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations in the
space that follows. Would you classify viruses as living, nonliving, or semiliving? Explain your
answer.
Viruses are not living things. Viruses are complicated assemblies of molecules, including
proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, but on their own they can do nothing until they
enter a living cell. Without cells, viruses would not be able to multiply. Therefore, viruses are not
living things.
Review Table 10.7 of Microbiology: Principles and Explorations. Define the following types of
viruses and viruslike agents.
Virus/Viruslike agent Definition
Satellites Defective viruses which can multiply only by association with a helper
virus which complements the defective gene
Viroids Naked RNA molecule which infects plants
Prions Proteinaceous infectious particle that lacks nucleic acids and
replicates by converting similar normal proteins into new prions.
(mutation caused protein to have different folding properties)
Respond to the following questions in the space that follows. Can viruses cause cancer? Does it
matter if the virus is composed of DNA or RNA? Explain your answers.
Of course, viruses can cause some cancers. It does not matter if the virus is composed of RNA or
DNA. It’s the actual RNA or DNA molecule entering into a host cell that can begin the process of
cancer. Example HPV, this virus can separate into two types, one causes warts and the other
causes cervical cancer. It all depends on waht type of cell, as wel as the location that will help
determine if the molecules turns into cancer and what type.

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