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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?
- Divide through mitosis or meiosis
- Lack genes and enzymes necessary for energy production (correct)
- Possess both DNA and RNA
- Replicate on their own
What is the origin of viruses according to the text?
What is the origin of viruses according to the text?
- Viruses existed before cells (correct)
- Viruses are created by bacteria
- Viruses came from cells
- Viruses are a type of cell
Viruses depend on hosts for which of the following?
Viruses depend on hosts for which of the following?
- Replication and division
- Energy production and nucleic acid production (correct)
- Genes and enzymes
- Capsid structure
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.
