question archive Using your basic knowledge of biology and a little research, generally describe how viruses infect cells
Using your basic knowledge of biology and a little research, generally describe how viruses infect cells
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Using your basic knowledge of biology and a little research, generally describe how viruses infect cells. Are viruses alive?
In particular, please comment on the Zika virus being transmitted?
What types of cells does Zika virus infect? Which system do these infected cells belong to? Describe the role of affected cells in each of the systems.
Suggest a rapid test that can be done to detect Zika virus infection in symptomatic people, or find and describe a test currently available. Explain why you are offering this test.
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- Using the characteristics of life as basis, reproduction is the trait that viruses cannot do alone. In this aspect, they need to infect the cells of the bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, plants and animals in order to reproduce. They can be described as infectious molecules made up of nucleic acid core surrounded by a protein shell or capsid. Viruses infect cells by entering a susceptible host and adsorbing to a specific receptor of their chosen cell. They are then able to penetrate the cell when they are engulfed within it. From there, they shed their protein coat in order to free the nucleic acid containing the viral RNA. Using the host cell's resources viruses are able to reproduce their individual separate components to be assembled later into more viruses that can invade more cells inside the infected host.
- Zika viruses reaches humans through mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes are the vector that carry the virus which they inject to the bloodstream of a susceptible host during their blood feeding. Consequently, infected women can pass the virus to their womb. There are also reports that the virus can ne transmitted through sexual contact. Rarely, zika virus can be acquired by suscepetible host through transfusion of contaminated blood samples.
- Macrophages are versatile and important cells in the immune system that is mainly responsible for phagocytosis and processing of foreign molecules to be presented to lymphocytes which will perform the appropriate immune reactions. Knowing this function, when zika viruses infects the macrophages it can greatly compromise the immune system. Once the zika virus is injected to the bloodstream through blood feeding, they are able to locate and later infect macrophages in the epidermis since macrophages usually locate the skin to combat potential foreign substances. Adults usually are asymptomatic when their immune system produces interferons which have antiviral properties. However, considerate harm is posed to pregnant woman because it can cause complications to the fetus. This is also known as Congenital Zika syndrome where the baby exhibits microcephaly and other congenital malformation. In very rare cases, zika viruses can cause Guillian-Barre, an uncommon occurrence where the immune system of an infected individual attacks its own nerve cells resulting to paralysis and muscle weakness.
- Symptomatic individuals that have recent travel history to areas with local transmission of local virus should be reported and immediately tested. Emphasis and prompt testing should be done for pregnant women since the effects on them has higher risks. PCR testing is recommended because it specifically looks for the presence of the virus in the body through processing of patient samples given (in this case, blood sample will be taken). Molecular testing is highly recommended than serological testing since in this procedure, the antibodies against the virus will be detected. This can create a false positive result given that antibodies can persist in the system for a long period of time.
