Antivirals Bilen Berhane

The differences between bacteria & viruses, pay attention to their structures and the way they multiply Virus: Smaller Non-celluar Composed of a protein coat & DNA/RNA Non-living Viruses insert DNA/RNA into cells/ rely on host to reproduce Bacteria: Larger Cellular Have nucleus/cytoplasm/cell membrane/ organelles Can feed/excrete/respire/grow outside cells Bacteria multiply by cell division/binary fission/mitosis/meiosis

Ways in which antiviral drugs work They alter the host cell's genetic material They alter the viruses binding sites, preventing it from binding to the host's cell They prevent the virus from entering/leaving the host cell. They prevent the virus from multiplying

Differences between viruses & bacteria Viruses are smaller Viruses do not have nuclei/cell wall/bacteria do have nuclei/cell wall Viruses do not have cytoplasm/bacteria do have cytoplasm Viruses are non-living while bacteria do feed/excrete/grow Viruses use cell material of the invaded cell to reproduce themselves

Describe the differences in the ways that bacteria and viruses multiply Bacteria multiply by cell division/binary fission/mitosis Viruses insert DNA/RNA into cells

How does Acyclovir act as an antiviral drug It stops virus replication Acyclovir becomes a part of the DNA of the virus It mimics nucleotide or guanine Alters virus DNA Prevents other nucleotides from attaching

Stops viruses from leaving the cell Ways in which antiviral drug can prevent the HIV virus from interacting with human cells Stops viruses from leaving the cell Blocks reverse transcriptase + production of new viral RNA & proteins Prevents HIV from losing its protein coat The receptor site is modified/altered, HIV virus could not bind to cells

Explain why effective treatment of AIDS with antiviral drugs is difficult HIV virus mutates rapidly HIV metabolism linked to that of host cell HIV uses host cell Drugs harm host cell as well as HIV, it is difficult to target HIV without damaging host cell