Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of generalized transduction in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A bacteriophage transfers random fragments of bacterial DNA to another bacterium during the lytic cycle.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by viruses, viroids, and prions?

Accepted Answer

They contain both DNA and RNA as genetic material.

Question 3

A virus with a lipid envelope surrounding its capsid is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Be more susceptible to detergents and alcohol than a non-enveloped virus.

Question 4

Which step in animal virus replication involves the viral genome being released from the capsid into the host cell cytoplasm?

Accepted Answer

Uncoating

Question 5

During the lysogenic cycle of a bacteriophage, what is the term for the viral DNA integrated into the host chromosome?

Accepted Answer

Prophage

Question 6

Which of the following best explains how lysogenic conversion can impact human health?

Accepted Answer

It enables bacteria to acquire new virulence factors, such as toxin production.

Question 7

Which of the following viruses is known to establish latency in human cells?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex virus

Question 8

Which equation best represents the exponential increase in viral particles during the lytic cycle?

Accepted Answer

$$N = N_0$ 	imes 2^n$$

Question 9

Which of the following is a retrovirus, and what is its defining feature?

Accepted Answer

HIV; it uses reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA.

Question 10

Viroids differ from viruses in that viroids:

Accepted Answer

Are composed solely of a short strand of circular RNA.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about prions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prions are infectious proteins that lack nucleic acids.

Question 12

The molecular etiology of prion diseases involves:

Accepted Answer

Conversion of normal cellular prion protein ($$PrP^C) $$into misfolded, disease-causing prion protein ($$PrP^{Sc}).$$

Question 13

Which prion disease is scientifically known as 'Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease', and what is its primary host and symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; humans; rapid dementia and motor dysfunction.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the nucleic acid diversity found in viruses?

Accepted Answer

Viruses may have DNA or RNA, which can be single- or double-stranded.

Question 15

A patient presents with symptoms of chicken pox. Which viral property explains the possibility of later developing shingles?

Accepted Answer

The virus establishes latency as a provirus in nerve cells.

Question 16

Which of the following is a key difference between the lytic and lysogenic cycles of bacteriophages?

Accepted Answer

The lytic cycle results in immediate destruction of the host cell, while the lysogenic cycle involves integration of viral DNA into the host genome.

Question 17

Which horizontal gene transfer process involves the transfer of genes via a pilus?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 18

A virus is classified as a provirus when:

Accepted Answer

Its DNA is integrated into the host cell's genome and can remain latent.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why some viruses are associated with cancer?

Accepted Answer

They can integrate their genome into host DNA, disrupting normal cell cycle regulation.

Question 20

Which of the following is a plausible outcome of specialized transduction?

Accepted Answer

Transfer of only genes adjacent to the prophage integration site.

Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions: Study Guide

Study Guide - Practice Questions