6
Viruses and
Other Acellular
Infectious Agents
1
,6.1 Viruses
1. Defines the terms virology, bacteriophages, and
phages.
2. List organisms that are hosts to viruses.
2
, Acellular Agents
• Viruses – protein and nucleic acid
• Viroids – only RNA
• Satellites – only nucleic acids
• Prions – proteins only
3
, Viruses
• Major cause of disease
– also importance as a new source of therapy
– new viruses are emerging
• Important members of aquatic world
– move organic matter from particulate to
dissolved
• Important in evolution
– transfer genes between bacteria, others
• Important model systems in molecular biology
4
Viruses and
Other Acellular
Infectious Agents
1
,6.1 Viruses
1. Defines the terms virology, bacteriophages, and
phages.
2. List organisms that are hosts to viruses.
2
, Acellular Agents
• Viruses – protein and nucleic acid
• Viroids – only RNA
• Satellites – only nucleic acids
• Prions – proteins only
3
, Viruses
• Major cause of disease
– also importance as a new source of therapy
– new viruses are emerging
• Important members of aquatic world
– move organic matter from particulate to
dissolved
• Important in evolution
– transfer genes between bacteria, others
• Important model systems in molecular biology
4
