Viruses

Front

What do viruses have in common with living cells?

Back

They both store genetic information.

Front

Why are viruses considered to be nonliving?

Back

They are not cellular, cannot reproduce on their own, and cannot make proteins.

Front

What distinguishes viruses from living cells?

Back

Viruses lack cellular structure.

Front

What is the lytic cycle in viral replication?

Back

A viral replication cycle that causes the host cell to burst open, releasing thousands of new viruses.

Front

What is the lysogenic cycle in viral replication?

Back

A viral replication cycle that allows the virus to combine its genetic material with the host cell's genetic material and be replicated when the host cell divides.

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 is the structure of a virus?

Back

Viruses typically consist of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid.

Front

Can viruses perform metabolic processes?

Back

No, viruses cannot perform metabolic processes on their own; they rely on host cells.

Front

What is a host cell?

Back

A host cell is a living cell in which a virus can replicate.

Front

What is the difference between DNA viruses and RNA viruses?

Back

DNA viruses contain DNA as their genetic material, while RNA viruses contain RNA.