Question 1

Which of the following best explains why viruses are considered nonliving?

Accepted Answer

They lack metabolic pathways and cannot reproduce independently.

Question 2

A scientist isolates a virus with a polyhedral capsid, a phospholipid envelope, and a genome composed of single-stranded RNA. Which of the following features would NOT be expected in this virus?

Accepted Answer

Ability to carry out metabolic reactions independently.

Question 3

Which of the following is a function of the viral envelope?

Accepted Answer

It protects the nucleic acid and aids in host recognition.

Question 4

A virus that infects only a specific type of cell within a single host species is described as:

Accepted Answer

A specialist due to affinity for complementary proteins on host cell surfaces

Question 5

Which of the following statements about viral genomes is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Viral genomes may be DNA or RNA, single-stranded or double-stranded, linear or circular.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the lytic replication cycle of a bacteriophage?

Accepted Answer

The virus enters the host cell, replicates, and causes cell lysis to release new virions.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a step in the lytic replication cycle?

Accepted Answer

Lysogeny

Question 8

A virus with a helical capsid and no envelope would be classified as:

Accepted Answer

A naked helical virus

Question 9

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the viral envelope?

Accepted Answer

It is acquired from the host cell membrane during viral replication or release.

Question 10

Which of the following is a plausible reason why enveloped viruses are generally more fragile than naked viruses?

Accepted Answer

Their envelopes are sensitive to chemicals that disrupt lipids.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a criterion used to classify viruses?

Accepted Answer

Ability to metabolize glucose

Question 12

A bacteriophage that can integrate its genome into the host chromosome and remain dormant is undergoing which process?

Accepted Answer

Lysogenic replication

Question 13

Which of the following best describes a capsomere?

Accepted Answer

A protein subunit that makes up the viral capsid

Question 14

Which of the following is a unique property of viruses compared to cells?

Accepted Answer

Obligate intracellular parasitism

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct order of the five stages of the lytic replication cycle?

Accepted Answer

Attachment, Entry, Synthesis, Assembly, Release

Question 16

A virus that infects both plants and animals would be considered:

Accepted Answer

A generalist

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a virion in its extracellular state?

Accepted Answer

Ability to metabolize nutrients

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about the host range of viruses?

Accepted Answer

Most viruses infect only particular host cells due to specific protein interactions.

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible outcome of lysogenic conversion?

Accepted Answer

The host bacterium acquires new traits due to phage genes.

Question 20

Which of the following mechanisms is NOT used by animal viruses to enter host cells?

Accepted Answer

Binary fission

Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions (Chapter 13) – Study Notes

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