1. Tobacco Mosaic Virus

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3. Viruses in General Small intracellular parasites Infect cells of virtually all known organisms Free viral particles called virions Commandeer host cells’ own machinery to replicate their genetic material and express protein products Damage or destroy host cells in the process Newly created viruses go on to neighboring cells

4. Minimal Viral Characteristics All have a protein coat called a capsid All have a nucleic acid genome (DNA or RNA) Some viruses have accessory proteins for aiding infection capability Some viruses have a lipid-bilayer derived envelope enclosing their particles Some viruses have protein spikes on their coats

5. Basic Life Cycle Attachment and entry into host cell Uncoating and presentation of genetic material Transcription, translation, replication of viral genome Assembly of new virions Release from host cell

6. TMV SS RNA genome Six genes Infects tobacco and related plant families Beans, peppers, tomatoes Produces lesions on leaves, stunted growth, poor plant performance Infection instigated by physical injury of plant tissue Used in molecular biology as vector for transforming genes from other sources into plants