Chapter 6
An Introduction of Viruses
I. Overview
Viruses are unique group of tiny infections particles that are obligate
parasites of cells. Viruses do not exhibit the characteristics of life but can
regulate the function of host cells they infect all groups of living things and
produce a variety diseases, they are not cells but resemble complex molecules
composed of protein and nucleic acid. They are encased in an outer shell or
enveloped and contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.
Viruses are genetic parasites that take over the host cells metabolism and
synthetic machinery they can instruct the cell to manufacture new virus parts and
assemble them. They can released in a matured, infection form, followed by
destruction of the host cell viruses may persist in cells, leading to slow
progressive diseases and cancer. They identified by structure , host cells , type
of nucleic acid , out loading , and type of disease they are among the most
common infections agent , causing serious medical and agricultural impact.
II. Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson the student can;
Describe the general structure of a virus
Identify the viral components
Discuss the viral morphology
Determine how viruses are classified and named
List the human virus families, genera, common names, and types of
diseases
Student activity: Multimedia or slide presentation
Duration: 1 hour
III. Lesson Proper
Figure 6.7 The structure and formation of an Icosahedral virus (adenovirus is the
model)
(a) . A facet of “face” of the capsid is composed of 21 identical capsomers
arranged in a triangular shape. A vertex or “point” consists of five
capsomers arranged with a single penton in the center. Other viruses can
vary in the number, types, and arrangement of capsomers.
(b) . An assembled virus shows how the facets and vertice come together to
form a shell around the nucleic acid.
(c) A three dimensional model (640,000x) of this virus show fibers attached to
the pentons.
(d) . A negative stain of this virus highlight it’s texture and fibers that have
fallen off.
Figure 6.8 Two types of Icosahedral viruses, highly magnified
(a) . Upper view: A negative stain of rotavirus with unusual capsomers that
look like spokes on a wheel; lower view is a three-dimensional model of
this virus.
(b) Herpes simplex virus, a type of enveloped icosahedral virus (300,000).
The Viral Envelope
When enveloped viruses (mostly animal) are released from the host cell,
they take with them a bit of its membrane system in the form of an envelope.
Some viruses bud off the cell membrane; others leave via the nuclear or the
endoplasmic reticulum. Although the envelope is derived from the host, it is
different because some or all of the regular membrane proteins are replaced with
special viral proteins during the virus assembly process. (see figure 11). Some
proteins form a binding layer between the envelope and capsid of the virus, and
glycoproteins (proteins bound to a carbohydrate) remain exposed on the outside
of the envelope. These protruding molecules, called spikes or peplomers, are
essential for the attachment of viruses to the next host cell. Because the
envelope is more supple than the capsid, enveloped viruses are pleomorphic and
range from spherical to filamentous in shape.
Function of the Viral Capsid/Envelope
The outermost covering of a virus is indispensable to viral function
because it protects the nucleic acid from the effects of various enzymes and
chemicals when the virus is outside the host cell. We see this in the capsids of
enteric (intestinal) viruses such as polo and hepatitis. A which are resitant to the
acid and protein-digesting enzymes of the gastroinstestinal tract. Capsids and
envelope are also responsible for helping to introduce the viral DNA or RNA into
a suitable host cell, first by binding to the cell surface and then by assisting in
penetration of the viral nucleic acid (to be discussed in section 6.5). In addition,
parts of viral capsids and envelopes stimulate the immune system to produce
antibodies that can neutralize viruses and protect the host’s cells against future
infections (see chapter 1.5).
Figure 6.9 Detailed structure of complex viruses
(a) Section through the vaccinia virus, a poxvirus, shows its internal
components. (b) Photomicrograpgh and (c) diagram of a T4
bacteriophage.
Complex Viruses: Atypical Viruses
The poxviruses are covered by lipoproteins and coarse fibrils and the
bacteriophages have polyhedral head and tail fibers (figure 6.9).
Figure 6.10 Basic types of viral morphology
Nucleic Acids: At the Core of a Virus
The genome of organisms is expressed through nucleic acids, DNA, RNA.
Viruses contain either DNA or RNA, but not both in the viral particle. The
structure of the nucleic acid in a virus can vary, ds, ss, segmented, circular. RNA
viruses that are immediately translated upon infection of the host cell is called a
positive sense
RNA virus. An RNA virus that must convert its RNA to a translatable form
is called a negative sense RNA virus. Viruses carry just the amount of nucleic
acid they need to be infectious in a host cell.
Other Substances in the Viral Particle
Viruses can carry with them specific enzymes they need to be infectious in
a host cell. Enzymes such as polymerases, replication, and reverse
transcriptase in HIV.
6.4 Modes of Viral Multiplication
Viruses will completely take-over a host cell once it enters. The virus will
use the machinery of the host cell to make more viral particles.
Important Human Virus familes, Genera, common names, and Types of
Diseases
IV. Evaluation
At the end of the discussion the students are expected to answer the
following questions;
Essay
1. What is icosahedral virus?
2. What is the function of a viral envelope?
3. Differentiate between the enveloped viruses and nonenveloped naked
viruses.
V. References
1. Foundation of Microbiology 8th edition (2012)
Kathleen Park Talaro and Barry Chess
Mc - Graw Hill Companies, Inc. New York, USA
2. Microbiology 2nd edition (2007)
Richard A. Harvey, Pamela C. Champ, Bruse D. Fishes Film Viewing
Lippincott’s Williams and Wilkins, Ph:ladelphia, New York, USA
3. Foundation of Parasitology (2008)
Larry S. Robert’s and John Janory
Mc Graw – Hill Higher Education New York, USA
4. Parasitism and Diversity and Ecology of Animal Parasites 2nd edition
(2014) Timothy M. Goater, University Printing House Camp U.K
Prepared by: MACALNAS, MSHAIRA M.
BIO012 Microbiology and Parasitoloy
