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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a property of viruses that makes them non-life?
Which of the following is a property of viruses that makes them non-life?
What is the origin of viruses according to the text?
What is the origin of viruses according to the text?
Viruses depend on hosts for which of the following?
Viruses depend on hosts for which of the following?
How are viruses classified based on their nucleic acid?
How are viruses classified based on their nucleic acid?
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What is the shape of the viral genomes according to the text?
What is the shape of the viral genomes according to the text?
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Study Notes
Properties of Viruses
- Viruses are considered non-living because they do not possess cellular structure or metabolic processes necessary for life.
- They cannot reproduce independently and require a host cell for replication.
Origin of Viruses
- Various theories exist regarding the origin of viruses, including the hypothesis that they evolved from genetic elements that escaped from cells or as a byproduct of cellular evolution.
Dependence on Hosts
- Viruses rely on host cells for replication, metabolic processes, and protein synthesis.
- They hijack the host's cellular machinery to produce new viral particles.
Classification Based on Nucleic Acid
- Viruses are classified primarily by the type of nucleic acid they contain, which can be either DNA or RNA.
- Further classification is based on features like strandedness (single-stranded or double-stranded) and sense (positive-sense or negative-sense).
Shape of Viral Genomes
- Viral genomes can have a variety of shapes, including linear, circular, or segmented configurations.
- The structure of the genome plays a significant role in the virus's replication strategy and stability.
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Description
Test your knowledge on acellular infectious agents such as viruses, viroids, and prions. Learn about the properties of viruses that make them non-living, their basic structure, and their origin. Discover why viruses depend on hosts for replication and energy production.
