Discussion: Viral Structure and Function

The virus is an obligate intracellular parasite that cannot live or reproduce without host

cells. It is not considered a cell because it lacks every structure to become a cell because Viruses

do not have nuclei, organelles, or cytoplasm like cells do. A virus is pathogenic to human or animal

causing fatal diseases, but not all of them are harmful to health. Some viruses utilize in the field

of Biotechnology research. Bacteriophage can be used in water preservation as it can destroy the

bacteria and keep water fresh. The virus has a protein expression properties that can be used to

produce different types of proteins which is used to produce vaccine antigens and antibodies to

treat disease as well as used for biologics. Let it give some more essential features of the virus.

A virus particle called virion, consist of nucleic DNA or RNA and outer protein shell which

is known as a capsid. Capsid made up with protein sub-unit called capsomere. A phospholipid

membrane is surrounding the virus called viral envelope. Some virus has enveloped, and some

naked. Nucleo-capsid is the combination of nucleic acid and capsid which is an essential structure

of the virus. Depending on the nucleo-capsid arrangement, virus structure is of two types such as

helical and icosahedral. In icosahedral structure, capsomeres form 20 identical face which makes

a hollow sphere with 60 protein sub-unit. The nucleic acid is inside the hollow sphere.

Picornavirus, Poliovirus, and rhinovirus are examples of the icosahedral virus. It may be enveloped

or naked. In helical structure, capsomeres are complexed with nucleic acid and make a wound of

helical fashion which looks like a hollow rod structure. Tobacco mosaic virus is an example of the

helical nucleocapsid. A virus has some unique glycoprotein on the outer surface known as a “viral

spike.” Its essential function is to the viral attachment to the host cells as well as antigenic

properties.
 The first step in infection is recognition or absorption: the virus has different surface

molecules which is host and tissue-specific. Receptors help the virus to bind on the host cell

membrane and once attached to a host cell; animal viruses may enter in a variety of ways. During

replication, the virus uses host-cell ribosomes and enzymes to express viral proteins, which then

replicate the viral genome and package it into viral coats. The multiple progeny virions produced

within a single infected cell eventually are released by cell lysis or by budding. The virus can be

cultured on cell culture media containing specific nutrients on it as well as a chicken embryo

culture system. A virus can be detected using a different kind of conventional and modern tools

like virus neutralization test, Agar gel test, Polymerase chain reaction test, in-situ hybridization

tests.

References

Khan Academy. Animal and Human Viruses Retrieved on April 23, 2019, from

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/biology-of-viruses/virus-

biology/a/animal-viruses-hiv

Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. (2000) Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W.

H. Freeman; Section 6.3, Viruses: Structure, Function, and Uses. Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21523/

GKTODAY. (2016). Virus: Importance of Economy and Environment. Retrieved April 23, 2019,

from https://www.gktoday.in/gk/virus-importance-in-economy-and-environment/