Biology 1001A Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Dna Virus, Dna Polymerase I, Reverse Transcriptase

• School: Western University
• Department: Biology
• Course: Biology 1001A
• Professor: Tom Haffie

Document Summary

23. 1 viruses: cannot reproduce on their own, lack metabolic system to provide energy for their life cycles, depend on host cells that they infect for these functions. Their structure contains the bare minimum necessary to transmit its genome from one host cell to another. Structure: 1 or more nucleic acid molecules can be either dna or rna can be single or double stranded ranges from a few genes to over 100. Minimum = encode for at least their coat proteins and proteins in regulation of transcription. Enveloped viruses include genes required for the synthesis of envelope proteins. Some viral genomes also include virus-specific enzyme for nucleic acid replication: capsid = protein coat that surrounds nucleic acids, envelope = encloses capsid, derived from host cell"s membrane. Proteins synthesized from the viral genome are transported to and embedded in the host cell"s membrane. When the virus bursts the host cell, these proteins allow it to bind ot the membrane.