Viruses..... yet again

[confused_]

I've had a look through the other topics but can't find any answers to my questions...

I was wondering if anyone knew what the basic staining reactions for viruses are, also how much oxygen a virus needs to grow (?) and to replicate / reproduce, and finally what nutrients the virus needs in order to carry replication and growth.

[MrMistery]

A virus does not grow, it stays the same size for ever.
In order to replicate all the energy goes to the synthesis of enzymes, which is done by the host cell. It literaly depends from one virus to another, as the longer the genome is, the more energy is needed
No nutrients are needed, only ATP(energy)

[confused_]

Thanks, I myself wasn't too sure on the whole growth aspect, I didn't think they grew..

Just one more, would the basic staining reaction be the same for viruses as it is for bacteria? (Gram stain) This is the part that really confuses me.

[Niqqie]

Virusses are MUCH smaller than bacteria. I don't know how they stain virusses, but you could use labeled antibodies.

[MrMistery]

I have never heard of staining viruses... I'm not sure it is possible..It may be possible to stain a cell in a certain color by using something that will only react with an enzyme the virus needs and will be present in that cell

[canalon]

With a normal microscope you cannot see viruses, but if, as suggested above you use specific anitibodies with a labelling that can be amplified enough you would be able to detect them.
To see them directly you'll need an electron microscope and adapted staining (Antibodies marked with gold particles or non specific metallic staining of the sample)

HTH

Patrick

[MrMistery]

So if i ever want to see a virus i should sacrifice my gold watch? Forget it!

[canalon]

So if i ever want to see a virus i should sacrifice my gold watch? Forget it!

Since the size of the gold beads is smaller than a micron, you could probably detect a lot of viruses with only a scrape of your watch... And you would not see a virus since this method just allow to detect them, not to stain them (gold which stop sthe elctrons is the equivqlent of a fluorescent dye in photonic microscopy). To acatually stain them you would use a solution of osmium oxide if I remember correctly (although I am not 100% sure).

So do not worry for your watch... unless you want to buy an electron microscope, and then you'll have to sell it just to pay the lectricity bil

Patrick

[MrMistery]

I don't have a gold watch so there is nothing to worry about