Biology - Virus

Introduction

• A virus is a micro infectious agent, which is found as parasite in the living cells of other organisms.

• Virus replicates swiftly inside the living cells of other organisms.

• Virus is a Latin term meaning ‘poison’ and other ‘noxious’ liquids.

• Viruses can infect any type of life forms, ranging from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.

• The study of viruses is known as virology.

• Virus is first discovered by Dmitri Ivanovsky in 1892.

• Virus has the properties of living as well non-living.

• One of the living properties is – virus has either DNA or RNA (never both).

• One of the non-living properties is – virus has no protoplasm.

Types of Virus

• Based on parasitic nature, virus is categorized as −

  • Animal Virus

  • Plant Virus

  • Bacterial Virus

  • Archaeal Virus

Viral Diseases in Human Being

• Following are the list of diseases caused by virus in Human beings −

  • Chickenpox

  • Encephalitis

  • Influenza (or Flu)

  • Herpes (skin disease)

  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

  • Infectious mononucleosis

  • Mumps (measles and rubella)

  • Shingles

  • Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

  • Viral hepatitis

  • Viral meningitis

  • Viral pneumonia

Viral Diseases in Plants

• Following are the list of diseases caused by virus in plants −

  • Peanut - Stunt Virus

  • Maize - Mosaic Virus

  • Lettuce - Mosaic Virus

  • Cauliflower - Mosaic Virus

  • Sugarcane - Mosaic Virus

  • Cucumber - Mosaic Virus

  • Tobacco - Mosaic Virus

  • Tomato - Twisted leaf disease

  • Lady finger - Yellow vein mosaic

Viral Diseases in Animals

• Following are the list of diseases caused by virus in animals −

  • Cow – Herpes (Herpes virus)

  • Buffalo – Small pox (Poxverdi orthopox)

  • Dog – Rabies (Stereit virus)