(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Microbiology


            A virus always has at least two parts: an outer capsid composed of protein units, and an inner core of nucleic acid- either DNA or RNA. The viral genome has at most several hundred genes; a human cell contains thousands of genes. The classification of viruses is based on (1) type of nucleic acid, including whether it is single stranded or double stranded, (2) viral size and shape, and (3) the presence or absence of an outer envelope. It is now believed that viruses are derived from the very cell they infect; the nucleic acid of viruses came from their host cell genomes. Therefore, viruses must have evolved after cells came into existence, and new viruses are evolving now. Viruses, like other organisms, can mutate, and this habit can be quite troublesome because a vaccine that is effective today may not be tomorrow. .
             Viruses are specific to a particular host cell because portions of the capsid bind in the lock-and-key manner with a receptor on the host cell plasma membrane. After viral nucleic acid enters the cell, it takes over the metabolic machinery of the host so that more viruses are produced. The lytic cycle may be divided into five stages: attachment penetration, biosynthesis, maturation, and release. During attachment, portions of the capsid combine with a receptor on the rigid bacterial cell wall in the lock-and-key manner. During penetration, a viral enzyme digest away part of the cell wall, and viral DNA is injected into the bacterial cell. Biosynthesis of viral components begins after the virus brings about inactivation of host genes not necessary to viral replication. The virus takes over the machinery of the cell in order to carry out viral DNA replication and production of multiple of the capsid protein subunits. During maturation, viral DNA and capsids are assembled to produce several hundred viral particles. Lysozyme, an enzyme coded for by a viral gene, is produced; this disrupts the cell wall, and the release of new viruses occurs.


Essays Related to Microbiology


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question