Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

17. Viruses

Viruses

General Biology

17. Viruses

Viruses

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0:51 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

In the viral replicative cycle, what reaction do viral proteases catalyze?
Select True or False for each statement.
T/F They catalyze polymerization of amino acids into peptides.
T/F They catalyze folding of long peptide chains into functional proteins.
T/F They catalyze cutting of polyprotein chains into functional proteins.
T/F They catalyze breaking of peptide bonds

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of viral proteases: Viral proteases are enzymes that play a crucial role in the viral replicative cycle by processing viral polyproteins into functional proteins.

Examine the statement about polymerization: Viral proteases do not catalyze the polymerization of amino acids into peptides. This process is typically carried out by ribosomes during translation.

Consider the statement about folding: Folding of proteins into their functional forms is generally facilitated by chaperones, not proteases. Proteases are involved in cleaving peptide bonds.

Analyze the statement about cutting polyprotein chains: Viral proteases catalyze the cleavage of polyprotein chains into individual functional proteins, which is essential for viral maturation and replication.

Evaluate the statement about breaking peptide bonds: Viral proteases indeed catalyze the breaking of peptide bonds, specifically within polyprotein chains, to produce functional viral proteins.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Viral Proteases

Viral proteases are enzymes that play a crucial role in the viral life cycle by processing viral polyproteins into functional proteins. They achieve this by cleaving specific peptide bonds within the polyprotein, allowing the virus to mature and become infectious. Understanding their function is essential for comprehending how viruses replicate and how antiviral drugs can target these enzymes.

Polyprotein Processing

Polyprotein processing is a mechanism used by many viruses where a single, long polyprotein is synthesized and then cleaved into multiple functional proteins by viral proteases. This process is vital for the virus as it allows the production of various proteins from a single mRNA transcript, facilitating efficient use of the host's resources and ensuring proper viral assembly and replication.

Peptide Bond Cleavage

Peptide bond cleavage is the biochemical reaction catalyzed by proteases, including viral proteases, where the peptide bonds between amino acids in a protein or polyprotein are broken. This reaction is essential for converting inactive polyproteins into active, functional proteins, which are necessary for the virus to replicate and assemble new viral particles.

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