BRAINCAKEHIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by the the Human immunodeficiency virus HIV.
The virus infects T helper cells, a type of white blood cell that is part of the specific immune system. As the virus gradually destroys the immune system infected individuals will be unable to fight of opportunistic infections such as pneumonia and TB and some may develop some forms of cancer.
HIV is a retrovirus that affects humans and primates. It consists of two strands of RNA and a few enzymes including reverse transcriptase, integrase and a protease enclosed in a protein coat or capsid and covered in a lipid envelope.
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Key terms in this lesson
- glycoprotein
- A protein with a carbohydrate chain attached, often found on the cell surface acting as a receptor or antigen.
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All 40 lessons in Communicable Diseases · All OCR AS-level Biology topics