Biochem virus

• Virus is a sub microscopic entity consisting of a single nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat and capable of replication only within the living cells of bacteria, animals or plants.
• Viruses only possess a single type of genomic nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA but not both.
• The nucleic acid in viruses can be in a variety of physical forms that can be used as a valuable classification feature.
• Transmission of epidemic zoonotic coronavirus is a complex process involving multiple factors.
• Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans.
• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.
• The structure of SARS-CoV-2 and its interactions via surface proteins with target cells are known.
• A delivery system for transferring the virus genome from one cell to another, the protein serves to provide protection to the nucleic acid against the environment, such as nucleases, and functions in receptor recognition, targeting a virus to a susceptible host and cell type.
• A lipid envelope surrounds the protein coat.
• There may be some modification to the lipid composition induced during virus maturation.
• Inserted into the lipid envelope there are usually virus proteins which are present as spike projections, which are normally glycoproteins.
• Viruses are considered to be non-living as they do not meet all of the characteristics of life.
• Viruses can be crystallized, a typical characteristic for non-living organisms.
• Viruses are pathogenic and cannot reproduce unless they attack another cell.
• Viruses are carcinogenic and once in the cell have a tendency to cause irreparable genetic damage that can lead to cancer.
• Antibiotics do not work on viruses as they are not living.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical cancer are related.
• MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) emerged in 2012 and remains in circulation in camels.
• Vaccines are taken beforehand to prevent infections by introducing the immune system to viral recognition signals.
• The most prominent feature of coronaviruses is the club-shape spike projections emanating from the surface of the virion.
• Possible ways to become infected with a virus are through Bites, Physical contact, Body fluid, Mother to child, Contact in the air, Sexual contact, and Environmental exposure.
• Hepatitis B and C are related to Liver cancer.
• 2019 - nCoV emerged in December 2019 from China and a global effort has been made to contain its spread.
• T Lymphotropic and Leukemia are related to Transmission of Viral Disease.
• In the Lytic Pathway, a cell divides; recombinant DNA is in each daughter cell.
• Viruses insert their genetic information inside the host cell and use the host cell to make more virus particles.
• In the Lytic Pathway, viral DNA is inserted into host chromosome by viral enzyme action.
• Viruses must have a living host cell to reproduce, for example, Bacteriophages infect bacteria and Herpes Simplex 1 infects lip cells.
• SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) emerged in late 2002 and disappeared by 2004.
• In the Lysogenic Pathway, viral enzyme excises viral DNA from chromosome.
• Virus treatment options include Antivirals, which are specific for infection, and the body’s natural defenses, the Immune system.
• In the Lysogenic Pathway, accessory parts are attached to viral coat and host replicates viral genetic material, builds viral proteins.