Sullivan1 Dan Sullivan Sr. Marie Happ A.P.

Bio 10/ 25/2011 Viruses and Their Functions Viruses are non-living parasitic packets of RNA or DNA surrounded by a shell of protein. They are very small, about 20-400 nanometers in size. Viruses attach themselves onto cells in order to reproduce, when a virus infects a cell it injects its DNA into the host cell and takes over the cells organelles in order to produce copies of itself.(#3) Some viruses have a broad host range and can infect a variety of living things including animals, bacteria, and plants. However other viruses have smaller host ranges and might only be able to infect one type of cell. (#5) There are two main ways in which a virus can infect a cell, by either injecting DNA into the cell or fusing with the plasma membrane of the cell. After the virus infects the host cell its encoded proteins take over all the cells functions. This allows the virus to copy its nucleic acid by using the cells nucleotides. The virus also uses enzymes, ribosomes, and ATP from the cell in order to create more proteins.(#3) Once the virus has completed the process of making the nucleic acid and proteins new viruses begin to assemble by themselves. Once they are all assembled then the new viruses leave the infected cell, often hundreds at a time. This process often leaves the host cell damaged or destroyed.(#5) An example of a virus that fuses with the host cells membrane is HIV, the virus that is the cause of AIDS. The HIV virus consists of two strands of RNA in a viral envelope that is surrounded by glycoprotiens. The viruss reproduction cycle starts when the glycoprotiens bind

Sullivan2 with the receptors on a white blood cell and the virus is fused with the cell. Then the virus releases its proteins and RNA into the cell. The viral RNA then gets copied into complementary DNA strands and inserted into the cells own DNA. The cell then begins to produce RNA for future HIV viruses and mRNA for the synthesis of viral proteins. The proteins are then sent to the cells plasma membrane and the RNA is formed into new viruses, then the new viruses begin to bud off of the host cell and start their own cycle.(#1) An example of a virus that injects its DNA into a host cell is Phages. Phages are viruses that look somewhat like a lollipop. They have a head, where their DNA is stored, and a tail made of proteins. There are two different types of Phage reproduction cycles, lytic and lysogenic. During a lytic cycle the host cell is destroyed, while in a lysogenic cycle the host cell becomes a carrier cell. A Phage infects a cell by attaching its tail to protein receptors on the cells membrane. The Virus tail then injects the cell with DNA and hydrolyzes the cells DNA. The Phage uses the cells components to create proteins and to reproduce its DNA. Then the Phage begins to construct new Phages within the cell. Once the new viruses are constructed the Phage creates an enzyme that damages the host cell wall. This results in a swelling of the cell until it bursts, releasing hundreds of new Phages. During a lysogenic cycle, instead of destroying the cell the Phage incorporates its DNA into the host cells DNA. Then the cell reproduces normally and creates new cells with the Phage virus. These cells are called Prophages.(#2) There are thousands of viruses that affect humans. Some of the most recent and well known viruses are Multiple Sclerosis, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and the Herpes Simplex Virus. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system of humans. It is believed to be caused by a viral infection that causes the bodys own cells to attack the nervous system. This results in damage to the nervous system and dysfunctional motor skills.

Sullivan3 Currently there is no definite cause or cure for Multiple Sclerosis, because researchers cannot isolate exactly what triggers the disease. Human Papilloma Virus is an infection that is passed from person to person during sexual contact. There are many types of HPV with different symptoms. The most common symptom is genital warts; however HPV has been linked to cervical cancer as well as other cancers. There is no current treatment for the virus, but the symptoms can be treated. The Herpes Simplex virus is an infection that is passed through direct contact with an infected person. There are two types of Herpes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is generally cold sores and is treatable. However, Type 2 is a sexually transmitted disease that produces sores and blisters in infected areas. There is no cure for Type 2 Herpes, but there are treatments to lessen the symptoms. (#40 Many viral infections have no treatment because the viruses themselves are constantly evolving and adapting. Also because viruses are constantly evolving researchers are always finding new strands of them. (#4) Viruses are some of the simplest organisms in the world. However, it is their simplicity and their abilities that make them so interesting. That a virus made of only protein and RNA is able to reproduce by taking control of a cell is an amazing thought.

Sullivan4 Works Cited

1. "Assembly, Budding and Maturation." The Structure of HIV. AVERT.org. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://www.avert.org/hiv-virus.htm>. 2. "Bacteriophage Life Cycles: The Lysogenic Life Cycle." CCBC Faculty Web. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/courses/bio141/lecguide/unit3/viruses/lysolc.html>. 3. "Viruses: Structure, Function, and Uses - Molecular Cell Biology - NCBI Bookshelf." Bookshelf. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21523/>. 4. "Virus | LiveScience." Current News on Space, Animals, Technology, Health, Environment, Culture and History | LiveScience. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://www.livescience.com/topics/virus/page-2.html>. 5. "What Are Viruses?" Science In Action. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. http://sxxz.blogspot.com/2005/10/what-are-viruses.html