Viruses

Front

What is a virus?

Back

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.

Front

What happens in the lysogenic cycle?

Back

In the lysogenic cycle, a virus injects its nucleic acid into a host cell, integrates it into the host cell's DNA, and remains dormant for a long time.

Front

What occurs during the lytic infection by a virus?

Back

During a lytic infection, the virus destroys the host cell after replicating itself.

Front

What is a key characteristic of viruses?

Back

A key characteristic of viruses is that they can only reproduce inside a living cell.

Front

What trait do viruses share with living organisms?

Back

Viruses share the trait of having genetic material.

Front

What is the difference between the lytic and lysogenic cycles?

Back

In the lytic cycle, the virus destroys the host cell, while in the lysogenic cycle, the viral genetic material remains dormant within the host cell.

Front

What is the role of viral nucleic acid?

Back

Viral nucleic acid carries the genetic information necessary for the virus to replicate.

Front

How do viruses infect host cells?

Back

Viruses infect host cells by attaching to the cell surface and injecting their genetic material.

Front

What is a retrovirus?

Back

A retrovirus is a type of virus that uses reverse transcription to convert its RNA into DNA after entering a host cell.

Front

What is the significance of the viral envelope?

Back

The viral envelope is a lipid membrane that surrounds some viruses, helping them to enter host cells.