Cytopathic effects

Cytopathic effects refer to the visible changes that occur in cells caused by various infections, especially viruses. When a virus infects a cell, it hijacks the cell's machinery to reproduce itself, which can damage or alter the cell's structure and function. These changes may include cell shrinking, swelling, breaking apart, forming unusual structures, or dying. Under a microscope, these alterations help scientists identify infections and understand how viruses affect cells. Essentially, cytopathic effects are the cellular signs indicating that an infection is present and actively impacting the cells.