Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Lesson Overview 20.1 Viruses

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome The Discovery of Viruses How do viruses reproduce? Viruses can reproduce only by infecting living cells.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Discovery of Viruses A virus is a nonliving particle made of proteins, nucleic acids, and sometimes lipids. Viruses can reproduce only by infecting living cells.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Structure and Composition Viruses differ widely in terms of size and structure. Most viruses are so small they can be seen only with the aid of a powerful electron microscope.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Structure and Composition The protein coat surrounding a virus is called a capsid. Some viruses, such as the influenza virus, have an additional membrane that surrounds the capsid. The simplest viruses contain only a few genes, whereas the most complex may have more than a hundred genes.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Structure and Composition Most viruses have proteins on their surface membrane or capsid that bind to receptor proteins on the host cell. The proteins “trick” the cell to take the virus, or in some cases just its genetic material, into the cell. Once inside, the viral genes are eventually expressed and may destroy the cell.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Structure and Composition Most viruses infect only a very specific kind of cell. Plant viruses infect plant cells; most animal viruses infect only certain related species of animals; viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Viral Infections What happens after a virus infects a cell? Inside living cells, viruses use their genetic information to make multiple copies of themselves. Some viruses replicate immediately, while others initially persist in an inactive state within the host.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Lytic Infections In a lytic infection, a virus enters a bacterial cell, makes copies of itself, and causes the cell to burst, or lyse.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Lytic Infections A lytic virus is similar to an outlaw in the Wild West of the American frontier in the demands the virus makes on its host. First, the outlaw eliminates the town’s existing authority. In a lytic infection, the host cell’s DNA is chopped up.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Lytic Infections Next, the outlaw demands to be outfitted with new equipment from the local townspeople. In a lytic infection, the viruses use the host cell to make viral DNA and viral proteins.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Lytic Infections Finally, the outlaw forms a gang that leaves the town to attack new communities. In a lytic infection, the host cell bursts, releasing hundreds of virus particles.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Lysogenic Infection In a lysogenic infection a host cell is not immediately taken over. The viral nucleic acid is inserted into the host cell’s DNA. The viral DNA is then copied along with the host DNA without damaging the host. Viral DNA multiplies as the host cells multiply. In this way, each generation of daughter cells derived from the original host cell is infected.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome A Closer Look at Two RNA Viruses About 70 percent of viruses contain RNA rather than DNA. In humans, RNA viruses cause a wide range of infections, from relatively mild colds to severe cases of HIV. Certain kinds of cancer also begin with an infection by viral RNA.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome HIV The deadly disease called acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by an RNA virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV belongs to a group of RNA viruses that are called retroviruses. The genetic information of a retrovirus is copied from RNA to DNA instead of from DNA to RNA.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Viruses and Cells All viruses are parasites. Parasites depend entirely upon other living organisms for their existence, harming these organisms in the process. Viruses must infect living cells in order to grow and reproduce, taking advantage of the nutrients and cellular machinery of their hosts. Viruses have many of the characteristics of living things. After infecting living cells, viruses can reproduce, regulate gene expression, and even evolve.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Viruses and Cells Some of the main differences between cells and viruses are summarized in this chart.

Lesson Overview Lesson Overview Studying the Human Genome Viruses and Cells Although viruses are smaller and simpler than the smallest cells, it is unlikely that they were the first living organisms. Because viruses are dependent upon living organisms, it seems more likely that viruses developed after living cells. The first viruses may have evolved from the genetic material of living cells. Viruses have continued to evolve, along with the cells they infect, for billions of years.