Virus Biology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is produced by the body to specifically fight viruses?

Proteins

Bacteriophage

Antibody (correct)

Bacteria

Which of the following diseases is not caused by a virus?

Influenza

Rabies

Chicken pox

Tuberculosis (correct)

Which statement about viruses is accurate?

Viruses do not have organelles (correct)

Viruses are considered living things

All viruses are latent

All viruses contain DNA

How are vaccines designed to function?

By triggering the production of antibodies Signup and view all the answers

What kind of genetic material do viruses have?

Both RNA and DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic that distinguishes viruses from living organisms?

Viruses lack cellular structures like a nucleus and organelles. Signup and view all the answers

What shape is NOT typically associated with viruses?

Hexagon Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes the replication process of viruses?

Viruses must use a host cell to create copies of themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during the mutation of a virus?

The virus undergoes changes in its genetic material. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of latent viruses in a host cell?

They remain inactive and do not reproduce right away. Signup and view all the answers

What specific type of cell do bacteriophages infect?

Bacterial cells Signup and view all the answers

Why can viral diseases be difficult to treat or cure?

Viruses rapidly mutate, making them hard to target. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of viruses allows them to attach to host cells?

Specific molecules on their surface that bind to cell membranes. Signup and view all the answers

What do antiviral medicines do regarding viruses?

They prevent the virus from entering cells or replicating. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method of preventing viral infections?

Taking antibiotics Signup and view all the answers

What is acquired immunity?

Immunity developed after surviving an infection. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of antibodies in the immune system?

To attach to and neutralize pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these diseases is NOT mentioned as a viral disease?

Tuberculosis Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes natural immunity from acquired immunity?

Acquired immunity involves specific immune responses to pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of natural immunity in newborns?

Antibodies passed from mother during pregnancy. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a vaccine?

A mixture containing deactivated pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 7 Lesson 3: What are Viruses?

Viruses are strands of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein layer.
They can infect and replicate inside host cells.
Viruses lack cell walls, nuclei, and other organelles found in cells.
Viruses come in various shapes, including crystal, cylinder, sphere, and bacteriophage shapes.
A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria.
Viruses are not living organisms as they lack the characteristics of living organisms.
Viruses replicate by using a host cell as a factory, creating thousands of new viruses.
Viruses can only attach to host cells using specific molecules on the host cell's membrane.
Viral replication can be active or latent (dormant).
Latent viruses go inactive, while active viruses immediately begin replicating.
Viruses frequently mutate.
Mutations happen quickly, making it difficult to treat viral diseases.
Viruses mutate to develop new ways of attaching to host cells.
Viral diseases affect humans.
Viral diseases include mumps, measles, chicken pox, influenza (flu), hepatitis B & C, COVID-19, and AIDS.
Viruses also infect plants.
Viral infections destroy cells, causing disease symptoms
Symptoms often appear soon after infection.
Flu virus infects the respiratory system and symptoms (like a runny nose and scratchy throat) appear within 2-3 days of infection.
Entry to the body typically occurs through the nose or mouth.
Viruses travel to the lungs, where they infect cells and replicate.

Replication in Viruses

Replication is the process by which viruses reproduce and create copies.
Viruses attach to a host cell.
Viral genetic material is inserted into the host cell.
Once the virus has its genetic material in the host cell, it can become latent or active.
When active, the viral genetic material takes control of the host cell, making copies of the virus.
New viruses are released as the host cell bursts.

Mutations

Mutations are changes in genetic material.
Viruses mutate, or change, their DNA or RNA frequently.
Mutations enable viruses to adapt to changes in their host cells.
Mutations are a major reason why viruses are so difficult to treat.

Viral Diseases

Viruses cause many human diseases.
Viral diseases include mumps, measles, chicken pox, influenza, Hepatitis B & C, COVID-19, and AIDS.
Viruses also infect plants.
Viral infections destroy cells, which leads to the symptoms of the disease.

Treating and Preventing Viral Diseases

Viral diseases are difficult to treat because viruses change so quickly.
Antiviral medicines can stop viral replication but viruses can rapidly change to become resistant to these medicines.
Limiting contact with infected people or animals can prevent viral infections.
Frequent handwashing is important for prevention.
Vaccines create antibodies designed to battle specific viruses, giving immunity against future infections.
Natural immunity is immunity a person is born with. It happens when a mother passes antibodies to her unborn baby, meaning the baby starts with the immune defence mechanism

Immunity

Immunity comes from the Latin word immunis, meaning exempt or free.
Immunity is a body's defence mechanism used to fight against viruses and bacteria.
When people get infected and survive, their bodies develop protection against that disease. This is called acquired immunity.
A virus infects a person, and the body produces antibodies.
Antibodies are proteins that attach to pathogens, preventing them from infecting a host cell.
Antibodies thus help the body fight diseases.

Research with Viruses

Scientists must always look at new ways to treat and prevent viral infections, since viruses change so quickly.
Viruses are used to treat genetic disorders and cancer, introducing normal genetic information into specific cells.

Review

A virus is a strand of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein layer.
Viruses cause human diseases, such as chicken pox and the flu.
The body produces antibodies as a defense mechanism against viruses.

Review Questions

What is the body's defense mechanism to fight viruses? (Antibodies)
Which is not caused by a virus? (Tuberculosis)
Which statement correctly describes viruses? (Viruses do not have organelles)
What is a pathogen? (Organism that causes disease)
What is a vaccine? (Mixture containing material from deactivated pathogens)

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Description

Test your knowledge about viruses with this quiz. Explore key concepts such as the body's defenses against viruses, the nature of viral diseases, and the function of vaccines. Challenge yourself to answer questions related to the characteristics and genetic material of viruses.