Term
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Definition
| A retrovirus that has RNA as its genetic material |
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Term
| How does HIV infect the human cell? |
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Definition
| It finds to a cell-surface receptor such as CD4 as well as a co-receptor such as CCR5, then fuses with the cell membrane |
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Term
| How does HIV convert its RNA genetic material to DNA and insert it into the human cell? |
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Definition
| It uses reverse transcriptase to convert RNA to DNA and then uses integrase to insert its DNA into the host cell's. |
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Term
| What role does protease play in HIV infection? |
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Definition
| Protease breaks down the large HIV polyproteins into their smaller, functional units |
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Term
| Why does HIV target the CD4 helper T-cells? |
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Definition
| Because they carry CD4 proteins on their surface, providing a ready point of attachment by the virus. |
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Term
| What are the symptoms of early phase HIV infection? |
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Definition
| flu-like acute retroviral syndrome |
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Term
| What is the marked characteristic of late phase HIV infection? |
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Definition
| The CD4 t-cell count drops below 200 cells/mL, rendering the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain neoplasms |
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