BIOD 171 MODULE 6 EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 2025
, Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms? -
ANSWERNeither
What is an obligate intracellular parasite? - ANSWEROne that cannot replicate on its
own, requires a host cell
What is a viral capsid? - ANSWERa membrane like protective structure that contains
genetic material
What is the viral envelope, and what does the presence (or absence) of it tell you about
the type of virus? - ANSWERsurrounds the viral capsid, and serves as an additional
barrier to the external environment. majority of animal viruses are enveloped, majority of
plant or bacteria-infecting viruses are not.
What type of microscope would be used to study the shape of a viral capsid? -
ANSWERelectron microscope because viruses are so small
How does the viral envelope both aid in cell entry as well as hide it from being detected
by the immune system? - ANSWERIt contains necessary proteins required for
interaction with host cells. It's derived from host cell membrane, this camouflages the
virus and lowers the likelihood of immune detection by making it appear similar to the
host cell.
What must happen before viral replication of its genome can occur? -
ANSWERattachment and entry
Describe the basic steps of the viral life cycle. - ANSWER1. Attachment: Viral receptors
bind to host proteins on the surface
2. Entry: virus fuses with host membrane and enters the cell
3. Uncoating: viral capsid disassembles
4. Replication: viral genome provides the blueprint to make copies of itself
5. Exit: New viruses are produced and leave the cell
6. New infection: Newly produced viruses leave host cell and go on to infect new cells.
What is a bacteriophage? - ANSWERvirus that infects bacteria
What structural aspects make bacteriophages distinct from viruses that infect either
animals or plants? - ANSWERicosahedral capsid head group and a helical tail with
fibrous extensions that aid in binding host cells.
Which viral replicative process results in the destruction of the host cell? -
ANSWERLytic
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 2025
, Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms? -
ANSWERNeither
What is an obligate intracellular parasite? - ANSWEROne that cannot replicate on its
own, requires a host cell
What is a viral capsid? - ANSWERa membrane like protective structure that contains
genetic material
What is the viral envelope, and what does the presence (or absence) of it tell you about
the type of virus? - ANSWERsurrounds the viral capsid, and serves as an additional
barrier to the external environment. majority of animal viruses are enveloped, majority of
plant or bacteria-infecting viruses are not.
What type of microscope would be used to study the shape of a viral capsid? -
ANSWERelectron microscope because viruses are so small
How does the viral envelope both aid in cell entry as well as hide it from being detected
by the immune system? - ANSWERIt contains necessary proteins required for
interaction with host cells. It's derived from host cell membrane, this camouflages the
virus and lowers the likelihood of immune detection by making it appear similar to the
host cell.
What must happen before viral replication of its genome can occur? -
ANSWERattachment and entry
Describe the basic steps of the viral life cycle. - ANSWER1. Attachment: Viral receptors
bind to host proteins on the surface
2. Entry: virus fuses with host membrane and enters the cell
3. Uncoating: viral capsid disassembles
4. Replication: viral genome provides the blueprint to make copies of itself
5. Exit: New viruses are produced and leave the cell
6. New infection: Newly produced viruses leave host cell and go on to infect new cells.
What is a bacteriophage? - ANSWERvirus that infects bacteria
What structural aspects make bacteriophages distinct from viruses that infect either
animals or plants? - ANSWERicosahedral capsid head group and a helical tail with
fibrous extensions that aid in binding host cells.
Which viral replicative process results in the destruction of the host cell? -
ANSWERLytic
