HIV

• HIV structure 


  • Core made up of genetic material (RNA) & enzyme, reverse transcriptase needed for viral replication
  • Capsid is the outer protein coat
  • Envelope is the extra outer layer made from host cell's membrane (stolen membrane)
  • Protein attachments are on the exterior of envelope enable virus to attach to hosts helper T cell
• AIDS


  • HIV progresses to AIDS when so many T cells destroyed that it interferes with normal functioning of immune system
  • Host (human) unable to produce adequate immune response to offer protection against pathogens, vulnerable to infections/cancer
• HIV replication


  1. HIV transported around via blood until attachment protein attaches to receptor on helper T cell (host cell)
  2. HIV capsid fuses with helper T cell membrane, RNA & enzymes from HIV enabled to enter
  3. Reverse transcriptase copies viral RNA into DNA copy
  4. Moves to helper T cell nucleus (why it's called retrovirus)
  5. mRNA transcribed, new HIV particles replicated, destroying helper T cell
• HIV stands for


  Human Immunodeficiency Virus