The Zika virus is the most recent emerging virus that potentially has a significant detrimental effect on human health. In the March 31, 2016 issue ofScience, the Michael Rossmann lab at Purdue University determined the structure of the Zika virus using cryo-electron microscopy. Cryo techniques means that the specimen is frozen. A summary of the research is reported here, at ScienceNews.org. The microbeWiki is another resource for information about microbes and viruses. The Zika entry is here.
From the graphic of the structure of the Zika virus or from the microbeWiki, is Zika an enveloped virus?
What part of the virus most likely directly interacts with the host cell (in this case a human cell)?
This is a ssRNA virus. Does this virus require reverse transcriptase like the HIV virus? Why or why not.
How is the Zika virus transmitted to humans?
The Zika virus is the most recent emerging virus that potentially has a significant detrimental effect on human health. In the March 31, 2016 issue ofScience, the Michael Rossmann lab at Purdue University determined the structure of the Zika virus using cryo-electron microscopy. Cryo techniques means that the specimen is frozen. A summary of the research is reported here, at ScienceNews.org. The microbeWiki is another resource for information about microbes and viruses. The Zika entry is here.
From the graphic of the structure of the Zika virus or from the microbeWiki, is Zika an enveloped virus?
What part of the virus most likely directly interacts with the host cell (in this case a human cell)?
This is a ssRNA virus. Does this virus require reverse transcriptase like the HIV virus? Why or why not.
How is the Zika virus transmitted to humans?
