Host Cells
Definition
Host cells are living cells in which viruses reproduce. A host cell provides the necessary components for viral replication.
Analogy
Imagine if your house was taken over by party crashers who use all your food and drinks to throw their own party. In this scenario, your house is the host cell and the party crashers are viruses using your resources for their own purposes.
Related terms
Pathogen: An organism causing disease to its host with detrimental effects similar to how viruses affect host cells.
Cellular Respiration: The process by which cells use oxygen to produce energy from food; this energy helps viruses replicate when they invade host cells.
Lysogenic Cycle: A method employed by certain viruses to replicate within a host cell without killing it immediately.
"Host Cells" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Are you a college student?
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.