Acellular
Definition
Acellular entities are those that do not consist of cells, such as viruses. They require a host cell to replicate and cannot carry out metabolic processes on their own.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Viruses are the primary example of acellular pathogens.
- Acellular organisms depend entirely on host cells for replication and metabolic functions.
- Unlike cellular organisms, acellular entities do not have a cellular structure such as a nucleus or organelles.
- Acellular pathogens can infect all types of life forms, including bacteria (bacteriophages), plants, animals, and humans.
- Detection and study of acellular pathogens often require specialized techniques like electron microscopy due to their extremely small size.
Review Questions
- What is the key difference between cellular and acellular organisms?
- Why do acellular entities need a host cell to replicate?
- Name an example of an acellular pathogen.
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Related terms
Virus: An infectious agent that is acellular and requires a host cell to replicate.
Bacteriophage: A type of virus that infects bacteria.
Prion: An infectious protein that causes disease by inducing abnormal folding of specific proteins in the brain.
