Introductory Virology Quiz

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What is the significance of the microbiome in relation to the human body?

The microbiome is the genetic material of all the microbes - bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses - that live on and inside the human body. It plays a crucial role in various physiological processes and has a significant impact on human health and disease.

Explain the concept of the virome and its relevance to a particular ecosystem.

The virome refers to the collection of nucleic acids, both RNA and DNA, that make up the viral community associated with a particular ecosystem. It is relevant for studying the viral diversity and dynamics within a specific environment.

What is the estimated biomass of bacterial viruses in comparison to elephants on the planet?

The biomass of bacterial viruses alone exceeds the biomass of elephants by more than 1000-fold. This staggering number highlights the prevalence and impact of viral presence on Earth.

Provide an example of how viruses are regularly consumed by humans.

<p>Humans regularly ingest many non-animal viruses with foods, such as consuming cabbage from different supermarkets in Washington D.C. This demonstrates the common occurrence of viral ingestion in daily life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the number of genes in a person's microbiome compare to the number of genes in the human genome?

<p>The number of genes in all the microbes in one person's microbiome is 200 times the number of genes in the human genome. This emphasizes the genetic diversity and complexity contributed by the microbiome to the human body.</p> Signup and view all the answers