Post on 22-Dec-2015
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GENETICS OF VIRUSES
The Basics• Compare the size!• Two basic components:– A diverse genome• ssDNA• dsDNA (Smallpox)• ssRNA (Measles)• dsRNA
– Capsid/Envelope
Viral Structure
Obligate Intracellular Parasites?• Host range varies with
virus– Swine flu vs. smallpox
• Tissue specific– Cold virus to AIDS virus• What determines the
limits to the host range?
Lytic Cycle• The “virulent” phage• Why are bacteria not extinct?
Lysogenic Cycle• The “temperate” phage• How is the prophage involved?
Viral Envelopes
• Describe the steps:• How does Herpes
virus differ?
Retrovirus• HIV
Vaccines• How do they work?• Why can’t viruses be
treated with antibiotics?• Eradication of viral
diseases…how is this possible?– Smallpox (1976)
Emerging Viruses• Why are some example?• Why are they typically RNA
viruses?• Why do they spread?
Plant Viruses
Viroids & Prions