Biology: Science for Life with Physiology (5th Edition)
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780321922212
Author: Colleen Belk, Virginia Borden Maier
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 2, Problem 1AAATB
Consider a virus composed of a protein coat surrounding a small segment of genetic material (either DNA or RNA). Viruses cannot reproduce without taking over the genetic “machinery” of their host cell. Based on this description and biologists’ definition of life, should a virus be considered a living organism?
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Students have asked these similar questions
TRUE/FALSEAll viruses are unable to resist the proteolytic activity (or digestive ordeal) once they are inside our cell organelles called proteasomes and lysosomes.
True or False: The presence of at least one membrane is required for any organism to be considered alive.
Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes
between viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells?
Viruses are not cellular and require a host to replicate, prokaryotic cells
lack a nucleus, and eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and other
membrane-bound organelles
Viruses, prokaryotic cells, and eukaryotic cells all contain a nucleus
Viruses and prokaryotic cells are always unicellular, while eukaryotic
cells are always multicellular
Viruses do not contain organelles, while prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
do
Which of the following highly contagious viruses is a single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus with a helical capsid and envelope and is transmitted by coming in contact with respiratory secretions?
"This is a highly contagious respiratory illness transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes virus particles into the air," the health department said in a written statement. "It's so contagious that if one person is sick and spreading measles, nine out of 10 people around them who aren't immune will get it, too."
Group of answer choices
a. Measles
b. Parvovirus
c. Coxsackie virus A
d. Rhinovirus
Chapter 2 Solutions
Biology: Science for Life with Physiology (5th Edition)
Ch. 2 - Prob. 1LTBCh. 2 - Prob. 2LTBCh. 2 - Prob. 3LTBCh. 2 - Prob. 4LTBCh. 2 - Prob. 5LTBCh. 2 - Which of the following terms is least like the...Ch. 2 - Different proteins are composed of different...Ch. 2 - Proteins may function as ___________ genetic...Ch. 2 - Prob. 9LTBCh. 2 - Eukaryotic cells differ from prokaryotic cells in...
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Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Similar questions
- How is the entry (penetration) of an animal virus into its host cell similar or different to the entry of a bacteriophage into its host cell? The entire viral particle (capsid and genome) can penetrate an animal cell, while only the viral genome can penetrate a bacterial cell. There is no difference; the entire viral particle (capsid and genome) penetrates both cell types. There is no difference; only the viral genome penetrates both cell types. The viral genome can penetrate an animal cell, while the entire viral particle (capsid and genome) penetrates a bacterial cell.arrow_forwardWhich of the following is a similarity between viruses of bacteria (bacteriophages) and viruses of algae? These viruses will enter host cells by membrane fusion. They infect host cells by injecting nucleic acid (i.e., capsid does not enter cell) After replication in a host cell, the newly-assembled viruses will exit the cell by budding. These viruses are taken into host cells by phagocytosis.arrow_forwardBecause viruses lack some of the traits seen in all living things, many scientists do not believe viruses to be genuinely "alive." Using a few characteristics of live organisms as examples, explain why viruses may not be truly "alive."arrow_forward
- You have discovered a new disease-causing virus. It has a negative sense RNA genome. Infected individuals often have few-to-no symptoms, but are continuously infectious to other individuals for months after initial infection. Which of the following is likely true about this virus? (Select all that apply) Its genome must first circularize before being translated into proteins It carries a replicase protein into a host cell upon infection. The symptoms of this virus exemplify a latent infection. The virus has infected every cell within an infected individual. The virus must first synthesize the complementary strand RNA before expressing new proteins. The symptoms of this virus exemplify a chronic infection.arrow_forwardWhy are viruses are not regarded as true living cells?arrow_forwardViruses are different enough from other organisms that they can be considered living or non- living. A non-living aspect of viruses is Their DNA does not encode proteins. They do not evolve. They do not carry out metabolic processes. They have RNA rather than DNA.arrow_forward
- Is a Virus considered living or non-living (Justify the answer)? Give one example of a virus.arrow_forwardWhat is true about the difference between prions and viruses? Viruses have genomes composed of RNA, whereas prions have genomes composed of DNA. Viruses have capsids composed of protein, whereas prions are made only of nucleic acid. Viruses infect many types of cells, whereas prions infect only prokaryotic cells. Viruses generally cause disease symptoms quickly, whereas prions generally take many years to cause disease symptoms.arrow_forwardA virus consists of a molecule of________ or_______surrounded by a(n)___________ coat. A virus cannot reproduce unless it enters a(n)_________ cell. A virus that infects bacteria is known as a(n) ________.arrow_forward
- All viral genomes contain nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA but not both. Viral replication is the formation of biological viruses during the infection process in the target host cell. Viruses must first enter the host cell before viral replication can occur. After gaining entry into a cell, the viral genome has to be first replicated using either the host DNA polymerase or RNA polymerase You are studying two viruses: Virus A is an enveloped RNA virus Virus B is non-enveloped DNA virus Which of the above viruses is likely to have the lowest mutation rate in the host cell? O Virus A because it uses the host RNA polymerase which has lower error rate than DNA polymerase. O Virus A because it uses the host DNA polymerase which has lower error rate than RNA polymerase. O Virus B because it uses the host DNA polymerase which has lower error rate than RNA polymerase. O Virus B because it uses the host RNA polymerase which has lower error rate than DNA polymerase.arrow_forwardA new virus has recently been discovered that infects human lymphocytes. The virus can be grown in the laboratory using cultured lymphocytes as host cells. Design an experiment using a radioactive label that would tell you if the virus contains DNA or RNA.arrow_forwardAs a general rule, viruses are not considered to be alive based on several reasons. One such reason is that some viruses use RNA as their genetic material instead of DNA. Which of the five biological themes does this violate? Briefly explain why.arrow_forward
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