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
• When is HIV classified as AIDS?

  When helper T cell function is severely impaired
• What is the main reason for death in AIDS patients?

  Destruction of the immune system
• 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 a host?

  1. HIV particles transported in blood
  2. Attach to CD4 protein on helper T cells
  3. Membrane fusion releases RNA and reverse transcriptase
  4. RNA converted to DNA by reverse transcriptase
  5. DNA integrates into the 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
  • Flu-like symptoms in early HIV
• What is the impact of HIV on the immune system?

  • Destroys helper T cells
  • Impairs immune response
  • Leads to opportunistic infections
  • Results in classification as AIDS