| Slide 7. Colored transmission electron micrograph
(TEM) of
influenza (flu) viruses. Note that the protein coat
is surrounded by a membranous envelope, probably derived from the host cell
membrane. The flu virus belongs to the orthomyxovirus group
of
viruses which have an affinity for mucus. It contains a core of RNA (ribonucleic
acid) genetic material inside a protein coat or capsid. Spikes form a fringe
(green) around the capsid and allow the virus to attach to its host cell. Influenza
is an infection of the respiratory tract. It causes a fever, aching muscles,
a sore throat and weakness. Mutant strains of influenza sometimes appear and
can cause fatal epidemics. Magnification unknown. Credit: Dr. Linda Stannard,
UCT / Photo Researchers, Inc. |
Computer
illustration of an influenza (flu) virus. It belongs to the orthomyxovirus
group of viruses, which have an affinity for mucus. The virus
contains a core of ribonucleoprotein (RNP, red), which consists of protein
and RNA (ribonucleic acid) genetic material. The RNP lies inside a protein
coat or capsid (blue). Antigen spikes (blue circles) on the capsid allow the
virus to attach to its host cell. Influenza is an infection of the respiratory
tract. It causes a fever, aching muscles, a sore throat and weakness. Some
of the new strains of influenza that appear can cause fatal epidemics. Credit:
James Cavallini / Photo Researchers, Inc. |
