Which of the following statements accurately describes viral plaques?

• A. Each plaque is presumed to arise form a single lytic virus particle.
• B. Plaques are formed only by defective viral particles.
• C. All bacteriophages produce plaques that have exactly the same size and appearance.
• D. Plaques are only formed by animal viruses.e) Two or more of the above answers are correct.
• E. Two or more of the above answers are correct.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of viral plaques: Viral plaques are clear zones that appear on a layer of host cells due to the lysis caused by viral infection. Each plaque is typically formed by the replication and spread of a single virus particle.
2. Evaluate the statement 'Each plaque is presumed to arise from a single lytic virus particle': This statement is accurate because viral plaques are formed when a virus infects a cell, replicates, and spreads to adjacent cells, causing lysis and forming a visible plaque.
3. Consider the statement 'Plaques are formed only by defective viral particles': This statement is incorrect. Plaques are formed by active, lytic viruses, not defective particles.
4. Analyze the statement 'All bacteriophages produce plaques that have exactly the same size and appearance': This statement is incorrect. Plaque size and appearance can vary depending on the virus strain, host cell type, and environmental conditions.
5. Review the statement 'Plaques are only formed by animal viruses': This statement is incorrect. Plaques can be formed by both bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and animal viruses.