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Lec 4

Viruses can have a simple structure consisting of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid. The capsid is made up of smaller protein subunits called capsomers. Some viruses also have an envelope that surrounds the nucleocapsid, which is acquired from the host cell membrane. Enveloped viruses contain viral proteins called peplomers that modify the envelope. Larger viruses may also contain viral enzymes coded for in the genome that are necessary for infecting the host cell. A complete virus containing all the components needed for host cell infection is called a virion.

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31 views34 pages

Lec 4

Viruses can have a simple structure consisting of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid. The capsid is made up of smaller protein subunits called capsomers. Some viruses also have an envelope that surrounds the nucleocapsid, which is acquired from the host cell membrane. Enveloped viruses contain viral proteins called peplomers that modify the envelope. Larger viruses may also contain viral enzymes coded for in the genome that are necessary for infecting the host cell. A complete virus containing all the components needed for host cell infection is called a virion.

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pranaven
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Structure and properties of

viruses
Malshi Omedhya Galappaththi
BSc/ PhD
Objectives
• Viral structure
• Properties
• Viruses can be extremely simple in design, consisting of nucleic acid
surrounded by a protein coat known as a capsid. The capsid is
composed of smaller protein components referred to as capsomers.
• The capsid+genome combination is called a nucleocap

• Viruses can also possess additional components, with the most


common being an additional membranous layer that surrounds the
nucleocapsid, called an envelope.

• The envelope is actually acquired from the nuclear or plasma


membrane of the infected host cell, and then modified with viral
proteins called peplomers.

• Some viruses contain viral enzymes that are necessary for infection
of a host cell and coded for within the viral genome. A complete
virus, with all the components needed for host cell infection, is
referred to as a virionsid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DGkZ2AM7RU
Summary

• Viral structure
• Properties – physical, chemical and biological
Thank you

Questions?
[email protected]

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