BIOD 171 MODULE 6 REVIEW 100%
ACCURATE 2025
, Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms? -
ANSWERNo. Viruses are neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic.
What is an obligate intracellular parasite? - ANSWERAs an obligate intracellular
parasite, viruses cannot (obligate) replicate unless inside (intracellular) a living host cell.
As a parasite, a virus depends on its living host to provide the framework (proteins, etc)
to replicate—to make additional copies of itself.
What is a viral capsid? - ANSWERThe capsid is a membrane-like protective structure
that contains the genetic material, similar to the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.
What is the viral envelope, and what does the presence (or absence) of it tell you about
the type of virus? - ANSWERThe envelope surrounds the viral capsid, is derived from
the host cell membrane and serves as an additional barrier to the external environment.
The overwhelming majority of animal viruses are enveloped whereas the majority of
plant or bacteria-infecting viruses are not.
What type of microscope would be used to study the shape of a viral capsid? -
ANSWERDue to its size (~30-150 nm) most viral capsids must be visualized via
electron microscopy.
How does the viral envelope both aid in cell entry as well as hide it from being detected
by the immune system? - ANSWERThe viral envelope contains the necessary proteins
required for interaction with host cells. As the envelope is derived from the host cell
membrane, this camouflages the virus and lowers the likelihood of immune detection by
making it appear similar to the normal biological host cell.
What must happen before viral replication of its genome can occur? - ANSWERFor all
viruses, the genome is replicated following attachment and entry, never before.
Describe the basic steps of the viral life cycle. - ANSWER1. Attachment: Viral receptors
bind to host proteins on the surface of the cell.
2. Entry: The virus fuses with the host membrane and enters the cell
3. Uncoating: (where applicable) the viral capsid disassembles
4. Replication: The 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 the host cell and go on to infect new
cells. The process outlined above now restarts.
What is a bacteriophage? - ANSWERA bacteriophage is simply a virus (phage) that
infects bacteria.
ACCURATE 2025
, Can viruses be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms? -
ANSWERNo. Viruses are neither prokaryotic nor eukaryotic.
What is an obligate intracellular parasite? - ANSWERAs an obligate intracellular
parasite, viruses cannot (obligate) replicate unless inside (intracellular) a living host cell.
As a parasite, a virus depends on its living host to provide the framework (proteins, etc)
to replicate—to make additional copies of itself.
What is a viral capsid? - ANSWERThe capsid is a membrane-like protective structure
that contains the genetic material, similar to the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.
What is the viral envelope, and what does the presence (or absence) of it tell you about
the type of virus? - ANSWERThe envelope surrounds the viral capsid, is derived from
the host cell membrane and serves as an additional barrier to the external environment.
The overwhelming majority of animal viruses are enveloped whereas the majority of
plant or bacteria-infecting viruses are not.
What type of microscope would be used to study the shape of a viral capsid? -
ANSWERDue to its size (~30-150 nm) most viral capsids must be visualized via
electron microscopy.
How does the viral envelope both aid in cell entry as well as hide it from being detected
by the immune system? - ANSWERThe viral envelope contains the necessary proteins
required for interaction with host cells. As the envelope is derived from the host cell
membrane, this camouflages the virus and lowers the likelihood of immune detection by
making it appear similar to the normal biological host cell.
What must happen before viral replication of its genome can occur? - ANSWERFor all
viruses, the genome is replicated following attachment and entry, never before.
Describe the basic steps of the viral life cycle. - ANSWER1. Attachment: Viral receptors
bind to host proteins on the surface of the cell.
2. Entry: The virus fuses with the host membrane and enters the cell
3. Uncoating: (where applicable) the viral capsid disassembles
4. Replication: The 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 the host cell and go on to infect new
cells. The process outlined above now restarts.
What is a bacteriophage? - ANSWERA bacteriophage is simply a virus (phage) that
infects bacteria.
