Textbook Question
How does a vaccine protect against a viral disease?
Ch.11 Nucleic Acids Big Molecules with a Big Role
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch.4 Introduction to Organic Compounds75
- Ch.5 Chemical Reactions19
- Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules62
- Ch.7 States of Matter and Their Attractive Forces8
- Ch.8 Solution Chemistry Sugar and Water Do Mix4
- Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell89
- Ch.11 Nucleic Acids Big Molecules with a Big Role69
- Ch.12 Food as Fuel An Overview of Metabolism65
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 42a
For each of the following, note whether the component can be found in a virus, a cell, or both.
a. RNA
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the structure and composition of viruses and cells. Viruses are simpler entities that rely on host cells for replication, while cells are complex structures capable of independent life processes.
Recall that RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid that plays a crucial role in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. It can serve as genetic material or be involved in protein synthesis.
Note that viruses can contain RNA as their genetic material instead of DNA. RNA viruses use RNA to store and transmit genetic information.
Recognize that cells also contain RNA, which is essential for processes like transcription and translation in protein synthesis. RNA is found in various forms, such as mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA, within cells.
Conclude that RNA can be found in both viruses and cells, as it serves distinct roles in each entity's biological processes.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
RNA
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a crucial molecule involved in various biological roles, including coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. In viruses, RNA can serve as the genetic material, either as single-stranded or double-stranded RNA. In cells, RNA is synthesized from DNA and plays a key role in protein synthesis through messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
Recommended video:
Guided course
2:43
Types of RNA Concept 1
Viruses
Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that require a host cell to replicate and propagate. They consist of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) encased in a protein coat, and they lack cellular structures and metabolic processes. Viruses can infect various organisms, including animals, plants, and bacteria, and they can only reproduce by hijacking the cellular machinery of their host.
Cells
Cells are the basic structural and functional units of all living organisms. They can be prokaryotic (like bacteria) or eukaryotic (like plant and animal cells), and they contain various organelles that perform specific functions. Cells have their own genetic material (DNA) and can replicate independently, unlike viruses, which depend on host cells for reproduction.
Recommended video:
Guided course
0:50Cell Membranes Concept 1
Related Practice
Textbook Question
For each of the following, note whether the component can be found in a virus, a cell, or both.
c. ribosome
Textbook Question
For each of the following, note whether the component can be found in a virus, a cell, or both.
c. capsid
Textbook Question
Name two components common to all viruses.
Textbook Question
Consider the following portion of mRNA produced by the normal order of DNA nucleotides:
5'ACA|UCA|CGG|GUA3'
f. What happens to the protein sequence if the A is removed from the beginning of the chain and the sequence changes to 5'CAU|CAC|GGG3'?
Textbook Question
For each of the following, note whether the component can be found in a virus, a cell, or both.
b. DNA polymerase