Overview of Viruses

What is a key characteristic that distinguishes viruses from bacteria and fungi?

• They are prokaryotic cells.

• They are eukaryotic cells.

• They are not considered cells.

• They are always beneficial to their hosts.

What type of genetic material can viruses possess?

• Only DNA.

• Only RNA.

• Either DNA or RNA.

• Neither DNA nor RNA.

What is the outcome for a host cell at the end of the lytic cycle?

• The host cell replicates the viral genetic material and continues to function normally.

• The host cell's membrane ruptures, releasing new viruses.

• The host cell integrates the viral genetic material into its own genome.

• The host cell becomes immune to future viral infections.

In the lysogenic cycle, what happens to the viral genetic material after it is injected into the host cell?

• It immediately takes over the cell's machinery to produce new viruses.

• It remains hidden within the host's genetic material and is replicated along with it.

• It is destroyed by the host cell's immune system.

• It causes the host cell to immediately lyse.

Why can it be challenging to develop effective long-term treatments for certain viruses like HIV?

• Viruses are too small to be targeted by medication.

• Viruses can mutate, potentially rendering treatments ineffective.

• Viruses do not have genetic material, making them hard to target.

• Viruses only infect non-living things.