Last Minute Lecture

Viral Genomics and Diversity | Chapter 11 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms Welcome to Last Minute Lecture . This post summarizes Chapter 11 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms , which explores the astonishing variety of viral genomes and the mechanisms that drive virus replication and evolution. You'll also learn about subviral agents like viroids and prions , which challenge traditional definitions of life. 🎥 Watch the full podcast summary here: This chapter is essential for understanding virus biology, classification systems like the Baltimore scheme, and the broader impact of noncellular infectious agents. Viral Genomes and Classification Viral genomes: DNA or RNA; ss or ds; linear or circular Plus-strand RNA = same polarity as mRNA Baltimore classification sorts viruses by genome type and mRNA production (7 classes) RNA viruses need RNA replicase (carried or encoded) ICTV classification: host range, structure, replication, phylogeny No universa...

Viruses and Their Multiplication — Lytic Cycle, Lysogeny, and Eukaryotic Viral Infections Explained | Chapter 5 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms Welcome back to Last Minute Lecture , your academic companion for mastering textbooks one chapter at a time. In this post, we explore Chapter 5 of Brock Biology of Microorganisms , which dives into the structure, diversity, and replication strategies of viruses across all domains of life. From bacteriophage T4 to latent animal viruses, this chapter offers a powerful foundation in modern virology. 🎥 Watch the full chapter summary here: This blog post breaks down key processes like the viral life cycle, plaque assays, lysogeny, and budding, offering clarity for students studying microbiology, virology, or AP Biology. What Are Viruses? Viruses are non-cellular genetic elements that depend entirely on host cells for replication. They contain either DNA or RNA, and infect hosts across all domains — Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. The...