15 Questions
What is the primary function of the viral proteins in a virus?
To help the virus attach to host cells and enter the host without detection
What is the term for the process of a virus manufacturing proteins and replicating itself inside a host cell?
Replication
What is the outer protective shell of a virus composed of?
Capsomeres
What is the shape of viruses that have a spiraling structure and a hollow center?
Helical
What is the scientific field that studies viruses?
Virology
What is the primary component of a virus's genetic code?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA)
What is a characteristic unique to giant viruses compared to other viruses?
They are visible with a light microscope
Why are viruses considered nonliving?
Because they can only replicate with a host cell
What is the minimum size of a virus?
17 nanometers
What is necessary for a virus to infect a host cell?
The virus must enter the host cell's membrane
What was Dmitri Ivanovsky researching between 1887 and 1890?
The disease-causing destruction of plants
What was the significance of the filtered substance collected by Ivanovsky and Beijerinck?
It was an infectious agent smaller than bacteria
What is the primary difference between bacteria and viruses?
Bacteria are living organisms, while viruses are nonliving particles
What is the approximate ratio of viruses to bacteria in the environment?
10 to 1
What is the purpose of bacteriophages?
To infect and replicate within bacteria
Test your understanding of the structure and characteristics of viruses, including their genetic code and protein coat. Learn about the differences between DNA and RNA viruses and how they replicate. Get ready to explore the world of microbiology!
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