Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of a viral capsid?

Accepted Answer

It is the protein coat that covers the viral genome and may take many different forms.

Question 2

What distinguishes bacteriophages from other types of viruses?

Accepted Answer

They infect bacteria and contain complex capsids.

Question 3

Which step in the viral infection process involves the viral genome entering the host cell?

Accepted Answer

Entry

Question 4

During viral replication, what does the host cell provide for the virus?

Accepted Answer

Nucleotides, enzymes, ribosomes, tRNA, amino acids, and ATP

Question 5

Which of the following is true about the lytic cycle?

Accepted Answer

It culminates in the death of the host cell.

Question 6

What is a prophage?

Accepted Answer

Viral DNA integrated into the bacterial chromosome

Question 7

Which enzyme is responsible for transcribing viral RNA into DNA in retroviruses?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Question 8

A double-stranded DNA virus typically replicates its genome during which phase of the cell cycle?

Accepted Answer

S phase

Question 9

Which statement correctly describes a positive sense RNA virus?

Accepted Answer

Its genome contains the same sequences needed to produce viral proteins and can be immediately translated.

Question 10

Viroids differ from viruses in that viroids:

Accepted Answer

Do not encode proteins and consist of short, circular, single-stranded RNA.

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of prions?

Accepted Answer

They are infectious self-propagating proteins that cause brain diseases in animals.

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why many bacteria have restriction enzymes?

Accepted Answer

To degrade viral DNA and defend against phage infection.

Question 13

A temperate phage is capable of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Replicating through both the lytic and lysogenic cycles.

Question 14

Which of the following is a real-world consequence of prion infection in animals?

Accepted Answer

Development of brain diseases due to misfolded proteins.

Question 15

Which process allows animal viruses to enter host cells?

Accepted Answer

Cell surface protein-receptor recognition

Question 16

What is the role of viral RNA polymerase in negative sense RNA viruses?

Accepted Answer

It transcribes the complementary RNA sequence to produce viral proteins.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the genome of a retrovirus?

Accepted Answer

RNA genome that is reverse transcribed into DNA and integrated into the host chromosome.

Question 18

Which of the following is a plausible reason why viroids are mostly plant pathogens?

Accepted Answer

Their replication depends on host enzymes found in plant cells.

Question 19

Which of the following is a multi-step process that occurs during the lysogenic cycle?

Accepted Answer

Viral DNA is inserted into the host genome and replicated along with host DNA.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why animal viruses tend to have viral envelopes?

Accepted Answer

The envelope is derived from the membrane of host cells and aids in cell entry.

Viruses and Other Infectious Agents: Structure, Replication, and Classification

Study Guide - Practice Questions