Question 1

Which of the following best describes the replication strategy of poxviruses in a permissive host cell?

Accepted Answer

They replicate entirely in the cytoplasm, carrying their own DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Question 2

Adenoviruses are known for their unique mechanism of mRNA synthesis. Which statement accurately describes this process?

Accepted Answer

Adenoviruses use a virus-encoded DNA polymerase and produce mRNAs with a 5' cap and a 3' poly-A tail.

Question 3

Which of the following viruses is most likely to establish a latent infection in neurons and later reactivate, causing recurrent disease?

Accepted Answer

Herpesviruses

Question 4

Poliovirus is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus. What is the first step after its genome enters the host cell cytoplasm?

Accepted Answer

Direct translation of the viral RNA to produce a polyprotein

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why coronaviruses have a high rate of recombination and genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Their RNA-dependent RNA polymerase can switch templates during replication.

Question 6

A patient presents with encephalitis after a bat bite. The causative agent is a virus with a bullet-shaped virion and a negative-sense RNA genome. Which of the following best describes the replication of this virus?

Accepted Answer

The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase transcribes mRNAs from the negative-sense genome in the cytoplasm.

Question 7

Influenza virus is known for its ability to cause pandemics due to antigenic shift. Which molecular feature enables this process?

Accepted Answer

Segmented RNA genome allowing reassortment of gene segments

Question 8

Reoviruses have a double-stranded RNA genome. Which of the following is a unique feature of their replication cycle?

Accepted Answer

Transcription of mRNA occurs inside the viral core particle to prevent host detection.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the replication strategy of retroviruses such as HIV?

Accepted Answer

They use reverse transcriptase to synthesize DNA from their RNA genome, which then integrates into the host genome.

Question 10

Hepadnaviruses, such as hepatitis B virus, have a unique replication cycle. Which step is essential for their genome replication?

Accepted Answer

Reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate to produce the DNA genome

Question 11

Which of the following statements about prions is correct?

Accepted Answer

Prions are infectious proteins that can induce abnormal folding of normal cellular proteins.

Question 12

A researcher is studying a virus that replicates in the cytoplasm and encodes all enzymes necessary for transcription and genome replication. Which virus is the researcher most likely studying?

Accepted Answer

Poxvirus

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why herpesviruses can establish lifelong infections?

Accepted Answer

They can enter a latent state in host cells, with their genome persisting as an episome.

Question 14

A patient is diagnosed with a viral infection. Laboratory analysis reveals the presence of a segmented, negative-sense RNA genome. Which virus is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Influenza virus

Question 15

Which of the following is a key difference between the replication of polyomaviruses and adenoviruses?

Accepted Answer

Polyomaviruses use host DNA polymerase for genome replication, while adenoviruses encode their own DNA polymerase.

Question 16

Which of the following equations correctly represents the process of reverse transcription in retroviruses?

Accepted Answer

$$RNA \xrightarrow{	ext{reverse transcriptase}} DNA$$

Question 17

A scientist is investigating a viral infection in which the viral genome is transcribed into mRNA by a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase immediately after entry. Which type of viral genome does this virus most likely possess?

Accepted Answer

Negative-sense single-stranded RNA

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the role of prions in disease?

Accepted Answer

They cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing misfolding of normal proteins in the brain.

Question 19

A patient is infected with a virus that produces a single, large polyprotein that is subsequently cleaved into functional proteins. Which virus is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Poliovirus

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the genome replication of coronaviruses?

Accepted Answer

They use a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to synthesize a full-length negative-sense RNA template, which is then used to produce new positive-sense genomes.

Viral Replication Mechanisms and Prions

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