Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Viruses are microscopic infectious agents made up of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. They cannot reproduce on their own but instead infect host cells to replicate.
Pathogens include both viruses and bacteria that cause diseases in living organisms.
Immune System: The immune system is the body's defense mechanism against pathogens. It recognizes foreign substances like viruses and mounts an immune response to eliminate them.
Vaccines: Vaccines contain weakened or inactive forms of a virus (or other pathogen) that stimulate an immune response without causing illness. They help prevent future infections by training the immune system to recognize specific pathogens.