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

1. Viruses are the primary example of acellular pathogens.
2. Acellular organisms depend entirely on host cells for replication and metabolic functions.
3. Unlike cellular organisms, acellular entities do not have a cellular structure such as a nucleus or organelles.
4. Acellular pathogens can infect all types of life forms, including bacteria (bacteriophages), plants, animals, and humans.
5. 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.

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.