Bacteria and Viruses Flashcards

16554814348	retrovirus	virus that possesses RNA instead of DNA as its genetic material; also has reverse transcriptase that can synthesize viral DNA from RNA so it can be incorporated into the host cell's genome	0
16554818026	viral envelope	additional protective membrane in some viruses that helps the virus incorporate into host cells	1
16554818709	conjugation	process by which two bacteria make contact through a pilus bridge and exchange genetic information; acts to increase genetic variation in asexually reproducing organisms	2
16554820099	transduction	process by which a bacterium picks up new genetic information from another bacterium through a viral intermediate	3
16554820851	transformation	means of genetic recombination in bacteria in which a bacterium picks up and expresses foreign DNA from other bacteria or from the environment	4
16554822086	viroid	small pieces of infectious nucleic acid typically found parasitizing plants; infectious unit smaller than a virus	5
16554822457	prophage	viral DNA when incorporated into the bacterial host's genome; also called a provirus	6
16554822858	prion	small pieces of infectious protein	7
16554823284	capsid	protective outer coating in many viruses composed of protein	8
16554823886	bacteriophage	virus whose host range includes bacteria; also called a phage	9
16554824474	lysogenic cycle	phase of viral replication in which the viral DNA becomes incorporated into the host cell's genome as a prophage but does not cause lysis	10
16554825464	lytic cycle	phase of viral replication in which the virus is immediately virulent; the DNA of the virus is inserted into the host cells and is transcribed and translated by the host cell to synthesize new viruses that cause cell lysis	11