The Physics of Viruses

1st Edition - January 1, 1953
Author: Ernest C. Pollard
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 7 0 9 2 - 0

The Physics of Viruses presents what is known about viruses from the viewpoint of a physicist. In so doing, a major aim has proved to be the description of viruses, their shape,… Read more

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The Physics of Viruses presents what is known about viruses from the viewpoint of a physicist. In so doing, a major aim has proved to be the description of viruses, their shape, and structure. Rather surprisingly, definite shapes and structures are emerging, and it is with a heightened sense of excitement that the hoped-for simplicity and symmetry are beginning to be found. The book contains eight chapters and opens with a discussion of the nature of viruses and their relation to physics. Subsequent chapters present studies on the size, shape, and hydration of viruses; the effects of ionizing radiation on viruses, thermal inactivation of viruses, biological effects of ultraviolet light, sonic and osmotic effects on viruses, and virus genetics and multiplication. The account given here should interest not only the physicist but that growing body of students who admit to being virologists as well. There is no doubt that the processes of viruses are in some way the processes of biology, so that the fundamental actions of biology may well be clarified by thinking about how viruses perform their work.

ForewordI. The Nature of Viruses and Their Relation to Physics Introduction Outline of Virology Virus Multiplication Size and Shape of Viruses Mutation of Viruses Mutual Interference of Viruses Virus Attenuation After Multiple Passage Chemical Composition of Viruses Virus Serology Hemagglutination Purified Virus Preparations Virus Assay Origin of Viruses Physics and the Study of VirusesII. The Size, Shape, and Hydration of Viruses Optical Microscopy Electron Microscopy Ultrafiltration Observations of the Motion of Viruses Diffusion Sedimentation Sedimentation Technique Diffusion-Constant Measurement During Sedimentation Hydrated Partial Specific Volume Viscosity Asymmetric Particles Examples of the Use of Virus Motion Studies X-Ray Diffraction Applied to Viruses Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering by Viruses Picture of a Virus Identity of Physical Particle and Infectious Unit Virus DimensionsIII. Ionizing Radiation And Viruses Nature of Energy Loss by Fast Charged Particles Space Distribution of Primary Ionizations Experimental Methods and Some Results Analysis of Bombardment Results The Action of X-Rays Secondary Radiation Effects Summary of Utility of Radiation Studies Results of Infectivity Studies Combined Thermal and Ionizing-Radiation Action on a Virus Structural Deductions Varied Effects of X-Radiation on Bacteriophage Structural Inferences from Radiation StudiesIV. Thermal Inactivation of Viruses Outline of the Theory of Thermal Inactivation Thermal Inactivation of Viruses Inactivation as a Function of pH Pressure Effects on Thermal Inactivation Conclusions from Thermal-Inactivation StudiesV. The Surface Of Viruses Surface Functions of Viruses Adsorption Polypeptide Attachment Virus Serology Neutralization of Infectivity Surface Inactivation by Antibody Serological Inactivation of Viruses Thermal Inactivation of Serological Affinity Hemagglutination Nature of the Virus SurfaceVI. Action of Ultraviolet Light on Viruses Molecular Absorption of Ultraviolet Light Absorption by Some Definite Molecules The Absorption Spectrum of Tobacco Mosaic Virus Absorption Spectra of Other Viruses Action Spectra Infectivity and Hemagglutination Action Spectra of Influenza Virus Action Spectra for Different Viruses Quantum Yield Multiplicity Reactivation after Ultraviolet Treatment Photoreactivation of Bacteriophage Summary and Conclusions from Action SpectraVII. Sonic and Osmotic Effects on Viruses Pressures Developed Cavitation Sonic Irradiation Procedures Sonic Effects on Viruses Osmotic Effects on VirusesVIII. Virus Genetics, Virus Multiplication, and Virus Physics Virus Recombination and Virus Genetics Bacterial Virus Multiplication Radiophosphorous Studies of Phage Summary of Pertinent Facts about Viruses Description of Present Knowledge of Virus Multiplication Description of a Virus The Energy Turnover in the Host Forces Operative in Virus Multiplication Ionic Atmosphere, or Double-Layer Forces Van der Waals Forces between Macromolecules Fluctuating Proton Charge Forces Potential Energy Diagrams for Two MacromoleculesAuthor IndexSubject Index