What are the general characteristics of viruses? What are obligatory intracellular parasites? What is a bacteriophage? What are the different components of viruses? What are the di... What are the general characteristics of viruses? What are obligatory intracellular parasites? What is a bacteriophage? What are the different components of viruses? What are the different steps of the lytic cycle? What are the different steps of the lysogenic cycle? What is specialized transduction? What are the different viruses? Do they contain DNA or RNA? What is a sarcoma? What is an adenocarcinoma? What are the oncogenic viruses? What is the difference between a latent and a persistent viral infection? How do plant viruses infect plants? What are viroids? What are virusoids? What are prions?
Understand the Problem
The text consists of multiple detailed questions and answers about viruses, their characteristics, components, multiplication processes, types, and their relationship with cancer and other related entities. It covers various aspects of virology, including definitions, classifications, and specific examples.
Answer
Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites with DNA or RNA.
Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites containing either DNA or RNA, depending on the type. They need a host cell to multiply and are encased in a protective protein coat.
Answer for screen readers
Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites containing either DNA or RNA, depending on the type. They need a host cell to multiply and are encased in a protective protein coat.
More Information
Viruses can't reproduce on their own and must hijack a host cell's machinery. Their simplicity and inability to grow outside living cells strictly define them as obligate intracellular parasites.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing viruses with bacteria. Remember, viruses need a host to reproduce, while bacteria can grow independently.
Sources
- Structure and Classification of Viruses - Medical Microbiology - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Introduction to Viruses – General Microbiology - open.oregonstate.education
- Viruses: Definition, Types, Characteristics & Facts - Cleveland Clinic - my.clevelandclinic.org
