Fungal Control of Insects Quiz

How do some fungi turn insects into zombies?

By controlling the insects' behavior and making them do strange things like walking a lot, climbing tall plants, and hanging high up, in order to infect more insects.

Why do some fungi turn insects into zombies?

To infect more insects and facilitate their own reproduction and spread.

What is the reason behind these fungi changing the same behaviors in insects?

These behaviors help the fungi infect as many insects as possible.

What did the authors find when they looked into many studies about zombie-making fungi?

They found that each fungus has its own tricks to control the insects. Signup and view all the answers

How do zombie-making fungi change the insects' behavior?

Each fungus has its own tricks to control the insects' behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the fungi changing the insects' behavior?

To increase the number of hosts they can infect and facilitate their own reproduction and spread. Signup and view all the answers

How do some fungi change insects' behavior?

They physically change the insects' bodies and release chemicals that affect the insects' brain. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the fungi changing the insects' behavior?

To help the fungi spread their spores. Signup and view all the answers

What are the tiny cells used by fungi to spread?

Spores Signup and view all the answers

What is the common change in behavior caused by zombie-making fungi?

Making the insect spread its wings. Signup and view all the answers

How do zombie-making fungi affect the insects' brain?

They release chemicals that affect the insects' brain, making them do strange things. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between zombie-making fungi and their host insects?

Some fungi have a special relationship with their host, changing the insect's behavior and living together for a while before eventually killing the insect. Signup and view all the answers

Why do zombie-making fungi change the behavior of insects?

To help the fungi spread their spores more effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of fungi controlling the behavior of insects?

To help the fungi spread their spores. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main ways zombie-making fungi change the behavior of insects?

They physically change the insects' bodies and release chemicals that affect the insects' brain. Signup and view all the answers

Why do zombie-making fungi have cool ways of controlling insects?

To help them spread and survive alongside their host insects. Signup and view all the answers

How do viruses survive if they cannot produce their own energy?

By redirecting energy from a host organism to their own benefit. Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique way in which some viruses trick their host organisms?

By producing their own version of insulin, called 'viral insulin'. Signup and view all the answers

What acts as the power source for our bodies?

Glucose. Signup and view all the answers

How do viruses trick their host organisms into feeding them?

By producing a molecule called glucose. Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated number of virus species that mammals can be infected with?

More than 300 thousand virus species. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of energy obtained from food?

Glucose. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of insulin in the body after a meal?

Insulin unlocks cells and lets glucose inside, which is then broken down to release energy. Signup and view all the answers

How do viruses typically obtain energy from host cells?

Viruses infect one cell at a time and slowly steal energy and other resources. Signup and view all the answers

What method was used to identify viral proteins that appear similar to human insulin?

A computer simulation was used to identify viral proteins similar to human insulin. Signup and view all the answers

What were the three groups of laboratory mice prepared for the tests, and what was injected into each group?

<ol> <li>Viral insulin injected group, 2) Regular insulin (positive control) injected group, 3) Saline (negative control) injected group.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What did the lab experiment reveal about the strength of human insulin compared to viral insulin?

Human insulin was stronger than viral insulin. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did viral insulin have on an important cancer marker during testing?

Viral insulin was observed to block an important marker of cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the amount of glucose in the mice's blood after being injected with human insulin, viral insulin, or saline?

The amount of glucose in the mice's blood decreased much more with human insulin over the first 90 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

What did the researchers notice about the decrease in blood glucose after 30 minutes for all three groups, including the saline group?

The researchers noticed a decrease in blood glucose for all three groups, despite saline not helping glucose enter cells. Signup and view all the answers

What do viruses need to survive in host cells?

Viruses need glucose to survive in host cells. Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers identify potential viral proteins similar to human insulin?

The researchers used a database with information about viral proteins and ran a computer simulation. Signup and view all the answers