Come on baby...let's do the twist!!--Retrovirus
Credits to Biochem students Carlos, Shenelle, Liniker, Latisha, et. al
RETROVIRUSES. They use RNA to
create copies of themselves. First they use reverse transcriptase to convert
their RNA to DNA. The infected cell would then treat this viral DNA as a part
of itself, and makes proteins needed for new copies of the virus. In essence,
it goes backward from RNA to DNA, hence the “retro”.
There
is a certain limit as to how small a cell can get (0.5 x 0.5 x 1.6µm). The
reason for this was that there would not be enough DNA to make the enzymes
needed to catalyze reactions necessary for life.
Pop Quiz! “Are viruses also cells?”, also, “How are viruses able to exist when they much smaller than the smallest free living cell?” And to answer, Viruses aren’t cells. They are just DNA surrounded by a protein shell. Viruses also do not feed, do not have their own metabolism. (There is debate as to whether viruses are living things or not.) Because of this they can exist at such a small size.
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