Hiv Structure And Life Cycle — a labelled NEET Biology diagram with a definitions lexicon.
HIV Structure and Life Cycle Labelled parts: HIV virion, Envelope, gp120, gp41, Capsid, RNA genome, Reverse transcriptase, CD4+ T-helper cell, CD4 receptor, Nucleus, Host DNA, Attachment, Entry and fusion, Reverse transcription, Integration, Transcription and translation, Assembly, Budding and release, RNA, DNA, Host genome. The complete, infectious particle of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is an enveloped retrovirus that targets CD4+ T cells. FYI: HIV uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA genome into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell genome. A lipid bilayer derived from the host cell membrane that surrounds the viral core. It is crucial for the virus to exit and infect new cells. FYI: The envelope contains viral glycoproteins (like gp120 and gp41) that mediate attachment and entry into the host cell. A viral glycoprotein on the HIV envelope responsible for initial attachment to the host cell receptor, primarily CD4. FYI: gp120 binds specifically to the CD4 receptor on T cells, initiating the infection cycle. Another viral glycoprotein that mediates the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. It is responsible for the fusion process. FYI: The fusion mechanism mediated by gp41 involves a conformational change that allows the viral and host membranes to merge. These T cells recognize antigens presented by MHC Class II molecules. They activate B cells, macrophages, and Cytotoxic T cells by releasing cytokines. FYI: CD4+ T-helper cells are central coordinators of the immune response, acting as 'managers' of the immune system. The genetic material of the living cell that is being infected. HIV uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA that integrates with the host DNA. FYI: Integration of viral DNA into the host genome makes the infection persistent and difficult to eliminate. The initial step of viral infection where the viral glycoproteins (e.g., gp120) bind specifically to receptors (e.g., CD4) on the surface of the target host cell. FYI: Specific receptor binding determines the tropism (the specific cell type) that a virus can infect. The process where the viral core enters the host cell cytoplasm, followed by the fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell membrane. This releases the viral genetic material. FYI: Fusion is mediated by viral fusion proteins (like gp41) and requires the host cell's membrane components. Transcription is the synthesis of mRNA from a DNA template in the nucleus. Translation is the synthesis of protein (polypeptide chain) using the mRNA template on ribosomes in the cytoplasm. FYI: The genetic code is read in triplets called codons, and tRNA molecules carry specific amino acids to the ribosome. The stage where newly synthesized viral components (genome, glycoproteins, matrix proteins) are gathered and organized within the host cell, preparing for packaging. FYI: Assembly requires the coordinated action of multiple viral proteins to correctly package the genetic material into the nascent virion. The final step where the newly formed viral nucleocapsid pushes through the host cell membrane, acquiring an envelope and being released into the extracellular space. This process is called budding. FYI: Budding is an exocytosis process that allows the virus to escape the cell and infect neighboring cells.