Textbook Question
Which of the following herpesvirus infections would be potentially most serious?
a. A whitlow
b. Ocular herpes
c. Shingles
d. Cytomegalovirus in a fetus
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21. Principles of Disease
Characteristics of Infectious Disease
2:37 minutesProblem 9
Textbook Question
A distinguishing feature of poxvirus is _____.
a. its large size
b. a polyhedral capsid
c. the type of RNA it contains
d. the production of several types of warts
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the general characteristics of poxviruses. Poxviruses are a family of viruses known for their unique structural and biological features.
Step 2: Recall that poxviruses are among the largest and most complex animal viruses, which is unusual compared to many other viruses that are smaller.
Step 3: Consider the shape of the virus. Unlike many viruses that have polyhedral capsids, poxviruses have a complex, brick-shaped or ovoid structure and do not have a typical polyhedral capsid.
Step 4: Evaluate the type of nucleic acid. Poxviruses contain double-stranded DNA, not RNA, so the option about RNA type is incorrect.
Step 5: Recognize that while poxviruses can cause skin lesions, the production of several types of warts is more characteristic of papillomaviruses, not poxviruses.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Poxvirus Morphology and Size
Poxviruses are among the largest and most complex viruses, notable for their large size compared to other viruses. Their size allows them to be visible under a light microscope, which is unusual for viruses. This large size is a key distinguishing feature.
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Capsid Structure of Viruses
Viruses have protein shells called capsids that protect their genetic material. Capsid shapes vary, commonly being icosahedral (polyhedral) or helical. Poxviruses, however, have a unique complex structure rather than a simple polyhedral capsid.
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Genomic Material of Poxviruses
Poxviruses contain double-stranded DNA as their genetic material, unlike some viruses that have RNA genomes. The type of nucleic acid is crucial for virus classification and replication mechanisms. Poxviruses do not contain RNA, so the type of RNA is not a distinguishing feature.
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