VIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that consists of a genetic material, either DNA or RNA, encapsulated in a protein coat known as a capsid. It is a non-living particle that requires a host cell to carry out its replication and propagate. Viruses are considered obligate intracellular parasites as they can only replicate inside living cells such as animals, plants, or bacteria. They cannot perform metabolic functions independently but hijack the cellular machinery of the host to reproduce.
Infectious diseases caused by viruses can range from mild to severe, and some can even be life-threatening. Viruses can affect various organisms, including humans, animals, plants, and even microorganisms. When a virus infects a host cell, it inserts its genetic material into the cell's DNA or RNA, taking control of the host's cellular processes and directing it to produce more viruses. These newly produced viral particles then undergo assembly, emerging from the host cell and spreading to other cells to continue the infection.
Common human viral infections include the common cold, influenza, measles, and HIV/AIDS. Some viruses can cause chronic infections, remaining dormant in the host's cells for extended periods and causing periodic outbreaks. The study of viruses falls under the field of virology, and scientists continue to explore ways to prevent and treat viral infections through vaccines, antiviral medications, and other therapeutic approaches.
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1. Contagium, the specific poison of an infectious disease. 2. Vaccine lymph.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The contagious or poisonous matter of an ulcer or a pustule, &c.; any foul hurtful matter.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of VIRUS
The word "virus" has its etymology in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "virus", which means a poisonous liquid, venom, or slimy substance. In Ancient Rome, "virus" was mainly associated with toxic substances. Over time, the term expanded to describe any harmful agent or disease-causing agent, eventually being adopted for microscopic infectious particles as we understand them today. The term was first used in the medical context to refer to infectious agents in the late 19th century, specifically referencing their ability to replicate within living organisms.
Similar spelling words for VIRUS
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