HIV structure and replication

• Why are viruses hard to treat with medicine?

  They replicate inside host cells
• Why won't antibiotics destroy viral cells?

  Antibiotics target bacterial mechanisms
• What are the main components of a virus's structure?

  Protein envelope, capsid, genetic material
• What type of genetic material does HIV have?

  RNA
• What is the role of reverse transcriptase in HIV?

  It converts viral RNA into DNA
• What is the outer protein coat of HIV called?

  Capsid
• What is the envelope of HIV made from?

  Host cell membrane
• How does HIV attach to helper T cells?

  Through protein attachments to CD4 protein
• What happens when HIV fuses with a helper T cell membrane?

  RNA and reverse transcriptase are released
• What occurs after HIV RNA enters the helper T cell?

  It is converted into DNA
• What is the consequence of HIV replicating inside helper T cells?

  Destruction of helper T cells
• What are the initial symptoms of HIV infection?

  Flu-like symptoms, fever, rash
• What does being HIV positive indicate?

  Presence of HIV virus in the body
• What leads to the classification of AIDS?

  Severe destruction of helper T cells
• Why are individuals with AIDS vulnerable to infections?

  They cannot produce an adequate immune response
• What is the structure of HIV?

  • Core made of RNA
  • Enzyme reverse transcriptase
  • Protein capsid
  • Envelope from host cell membrane
  • Protein attachments for T cell binding
• What is the replication process of HIV inside helper T cells?

  1. HIV attaches to CD4 protein on T cells
  2. Membrane fusion occurs
  3. RNA and reverse transcriptase enter T cell
  4. RNA is converted to DNA
  5. DNA integrates into T cell nucleus
  6. New HIV particles are produced
  7. Helper T cells are destroyed
• What are the symptoms of AIDS?

  • Severe immune deficiency
  • Increased vulnerability to infections
  • Higher risk of cancers
  • Symptoms arise from immune system failure
• What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

  • HIV: Virus present in the body
  • AIDS: Severe immune system damage from HIV
• Why are antibiotics ineffective against viruses?

  • Antibiotics target bacterial functions
  • Viruses lack cellular structures targeted by antibiotics
• What is the role of helper T cells in the immune system?

  • Coordinate immune response
  • Help activate other immune cells
  • Target infections and diseases
• What happens to the immune system when helper T cells are destroyed?

  • Immune response is weakened
  • Increased susceptibility to infections and diseases