WHAT THE HECK IS A
VIRUS?
The Form, Reproduction, and
Genetics of Viruses
Viral Shapes
More Viral Forms
Flu Viruses
HIV
Soybean
Phage
Viruses
Viruses
Emerging Viruses
• Neuron Capacity Overload Virus
Similar in shape to
the bacteriophages,
such as T-2
The virus was discovered in 1988 by German Scientist Oskar P.
Sundenkamne at the University of Bonn, Germany. Dr. Sundenkamne is
well known for his research in neurology, particularly for his discovery of
acetyl-pepstatin binding membranes in 1986. His interest in the Neuron
Capacity Overload Virus was piqued when he noticed its tendencies to
attack certain types of brain cells, a phenomenon unusual to viruses.
Other Kinds of Viruses
What a relief, doc! For a second there
I thought you said my *computer* had the virus!
Structure of the T-2 Phage
The Capsid Is an
iscosahedron: a 20-
sided shape
Viral Reproductive Cycle
T-4 Phage – Lytic Cycle
Lambda Phage Life Cycles
Cycle of An Enveloped Virus
By coating itself with cell
membrane, the virus
avoids detection by the
victim’s immune system.
HIV – A Retrovirus
HIV Entering a Cell
Plants Have Viruses Too!
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
Emerging Viruses
Ebola Virus (filovirus family) Hantavirus
http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/viruslist.html
http://www.virology.net/Big_Virology/BVDiseaseList.html
Other “Weird”
Infectious Agents
• Viroids
• Prions
VIROIDS
Viroids are smaller than viruses
Naked, circular RNA.
Affect plants
Master List of Viroids
PRIONS
• Infectious proteins
• Cause Degenerative Brain Disease
• BSE “mad cow disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob
disease, scrapie, and Kuru
Do All Scientists Agree?
• No – Not all scientists believe that
Prions are the cause of BSE or nvCJD
• A slow-acting virus may be the cause
• No treatment exists
National Institute of Health – “Research In The News”
A.S.M Microbe File Story – All About Prions
NOVA: Do Prions Exist? Conflicting Viewpoints.
Click here for the Leicester Microbiology Dept. for a detailed
overview of Prions and Prion disorders
For More Information…
• Center For Disease Control (CDC), Washinton,
D.C.
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
• National Library of Medicine (Page for
vaccination and immunization info.)
• National Institute of Health (Home Page)
• National Immunization Program (Adult)
• National Immunization Program (Child)