Question 1

Which of the following best describes how prions propagate disease in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Prions convert normal proteins into the abnormal prion form, leading to aggregation.

Question 2

A scientist is studying a virus with a helical capsid and a single RNA molecule. Which virus is she most likely working with?

Accepted Answer

Tobacco mosaic virus

Question 3

During the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage, what is the fate of the host cell?

Accepted Answer

The host cell lyses, releasing newly assembled phages.

Question 4

Which step in the viral replication cycle is directly responsible for the production of viral proteins?

Accepted Answer

Translation of viral mRNA by host ribosomes

Question 5

A patient is diagnosed with COVID-19. Which virus is responsible for this disease, and what is its genome type?

Accepted Answer

SARS-CoV-2, single-stranded RNA

Question 6

Which of the following equations best represents the exponential increase in viral particles during the lytic cycle, assuming each infected cell releases $$n$$ new viruses and $$k$$ cells are infected?

Accepted Answer

$$V = n 	imes k$$

Question 7

Which HIV drug class targets the enzyme responsible for converting viral RNA into DNA?

Accepted Answer

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)

Question 8

A virus with an icosahedral capsid and double-stranded DNA is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Adenovirus

Question 9

Which of the following statements about prions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prions are normal proteins that have a different shape and can induce misfolding in other proteins.

Question 10

In the lysogenic cycle, what happens to the phage DNA after it enters the host cell?

Accepted Answer

It integrates into the host chromosome and is replicated along with host DNA.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why viruses are considered non-living?

Accepted Answer

They cannot reproduce independently and lack cellular structure.

Question 12

A researcher is using a bacteriophage as a tool to deliver genetic material into bacteria. Which step must occur for the genetic material to be expressed in the host?

Accepted Answer

Synthesis of viral genomes and proteins using host enzymes

Question 13

Which of the following is a plausible consequence of prion aggregation in neural tissue?

Accepted Answer

Formation of plaques leading to neurodegeneration

Question 14

Which equation best describes the probability $$P of a $$virus binding to a host cell if the concentration of virus particles is $$[V]$$ and the binding constant is $$K$$?

Accepted Answer

$$P = \frac{K 	imes [V]}{1 + K 	imes [V]}$$

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a type of drug used to treat HIV infection?

Accepted Answer

Capsid assembly inhibitors

Question 16

A virus infects a cell and its genome is transcribed by host enzymes. Which type of genome does this virus most likely possess?

Accepted Answer

Double-stranded DNA

Question 17

Which step distinguishes the lysogenic cycle from the lytic cycle in bacteriophage replication?

Accepted Answer

Integration of phage DNA into the host chromosome

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the function of integrase inhibitors in HIV therapy?

Accepted Answer

They block the integration of viral DNA into the host genome.

Question 19

A virus with a membranous envelope and glycoprotein spikes is most likely to infect which type of cell?

Accepted Answer

Animal cells

Question 20

Which of the following is a key difference between prions and viruses?

Accepted Answer

Prions are infectious proteins, while viruses are infectious particles containing nucleic acids.

Viruses, Bacteriophages, and Prions: Structure, Function, and Biomedical Relevance

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