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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Mutations - Online Term Paper

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Mutations



The topic of this paper is the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV,
and whether or not mutations undergone by the virus allow it to survive in
the immune system. The cost of treating all persons with AIDS in 1993 in
the United States was $7.8 billion, and it is estimated that 20,000 new
cases of AIDS are reported every 3 months to the CDC. This question
dealing with how HIV survives in the immune system is of critical
importance, not only in the search for a cure for the virus and its
inevitable syndrome, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), but also so
that over 500,000 Americans already infected with the virus could be saved.
This is possible because if we know that HIV survives ...

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RNA templates to produce DNA. For example,
within the core of HIV is a double molecule of ribonucleic acid, RNA.
When the virus invades a cell, this genetic material is replicated in the
form of DNA . But, in order to do so, HIV must first be able to produce a
particular enzyme that can construct a DNA molecule using an RNA template.
This enzyme, called RNA-directed DNA polymerase, is also referred to as
reverse transcriptase because it reverses the normal cellular process of
transcription. The DNA molecules produced by reverse transcription are
then inserted into the genetic material of the host cell, where they are
co-replicated with the host's chromosomes; they are thereby distributed to
all daughter cells during subsequent cell divisions. Then in one or more
of these daughter cells, the virus produces RNA copies of its genetic
material. These new HIV clones become covered with protein coats and leave
the cell to find other host cells where they can repeat the life ...

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ready to move quickly should the
same virus once again invade the body.

HIV’s Life Cycle

In the initial stage of HIV infection, the virus colonizes helper T
cells, specifically CD4+ cells, and macrophages, while replicating itself
relatively unnoticed. As the amount of the virus soars, the number of
helper cells falls; macrophages die as well. The infected T cells perish
as thousands of new viral particles erupt from the cell membrane. Soon,
though, cytotoxic T and B lymphocytes kill many virus-infected cells and
viral particles. These effects limit viral growth and allow the body an
opportunity to temporarily restore its supply of helper cells to almost
normal ...

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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Mutations. (2006, September 7). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus-And-Mutations/52023
"The Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Mutations." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 7 Sep. 2006. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus-And-Mutations/52023>
"The Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Mutations." Essayworld.com. September 7, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus-And-Mutations/52023.
"The Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Mutations." Essayworld.com. September 7, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus-And-Mutations/52023.
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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 9/7/2006 10:54:51 PM
Category: Health & Medicine
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 2069
Pages: 8

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