Viruses

Viruses __Virus__: Particles of nucleic acid, protein, and sometimes lipids. They are usually composed of a DNA or RNA core with a protein coat. It is unclear if viruses are living organisms or not; they can only exist by reproducing within host cells. Many viruses can cause disease. __Capsid__: The Protein coat of a virus. __Bacteriophage__: Viruses which infect bacteria cells. __Lytic Infection__: A type of viral infection that occurs when viruses destroy the cell they are using to reproduce. __Lysogenic Infection__: During this type of viral infection, a virus integrates its DNA with the host cell’s. The cell is not destroyed during this process. __Prophage__: The viral DNA that is integrated with the host cell’s DNA. __Retrovirus__: Viruses which contain RNA rather then DNA; retroviruses can remain dormant for long amounts of time in a host cell before destroying it. Bacterial and Viral Disease __Pathogen__: A disease causing agent; both viruses and bacteria can be pathogens. __Vaccines__: A preparation of weakened or killed pathogens that can be used to produce immunity to certain diseases. __Bacterial Disease__: Produced either by bacterial damaging of cells and tissues, or by releasing toxins into the body. __Antibiotics__: Compounds that block the growth or cure bacterial disease. __Viral Disease__: Caused by destruction of certain cells in the body. __Viroid__: Single-stranded molecules with no surrounding protein capsid. Many are disease-causing.b __Prions__: Protein-containing particles with no DNA or RNA. They can also cause disease. __Sterilization__: The process of destroying pathogens by using heat. __Disinfectants__: Chemical solutions that kill pathogens.