Question 1

Which of the following best describes why viruses are not considered living organisms?

Accepted Answer

They cannot reproduce outside a host cell.

Question 2

A scientist is culturing a bacteriophage in the laboratory. Which method would be most appropriate for quantifying the number of infectious viral particles?

Accepted Answer

Counting plaques formed on a bacterial lawn.

Question 3

Which enzyme is responsible for making a hole in the bacterial cell wall to allow viral nucleic acid entry during bacteriophage infection?

Accepted Answer

Lysozyme

Question 4

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the Baltimore classification system for viruses?

Accepted Answer

It classifies viruses based on their genome type and replication strategy.

Question 5

A patient presents with fever blisters and later develops shingles. Which virus is most likely responsible for both conditions?

Accepted Answer

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)

Question 6

Which of the following statements about positive-strand RNA viruses is correct?

Accepted Answer

Their RNA genome can serve directly as mRNA for protein synthesis.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why influenza viruses can cause pandemics through antigenic shift?

Accepted Answer

They have a segmented genome that allows reassortment of gene segments.

Question 8

Which of the following is a unique feature of all characterized archaeal viruses?

Accepted Answer

They have double-stranded circular DNA genomes.

Question 9

A virus is found to contain an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Which type of virus is this enzyme most likely associated with?

Accepted Answer

Retrovirus

Question 10

Which of the following steps is unique to the replication cycle of animal viruses compared to bacteriophages?

Accepted Answer

Entry of the entire virion into the host cell

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the function of neuraminidase in influenza virus infection?

Accepted Answer

It destroys glycoproteins and glycolipids to facilitate virus release.

Question 12

Which of the following is a plausible reason why prion diseases are difficult to control in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Prions are resistant to standard sterilization procedures.

Question 13

A patient is diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. Which virus is most closely associated with this cancer?

Accepted Answer

Epstein-Barr virus

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why the poliovirus can be eradicated through vaccination?

Accepted Answer

Humans are the only natural host.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Enveloped viruses acquire their membrane from the host cell.

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct order of steps in the viral replication cycle?

Accepted Answer

Attachment, penetration, synthesis, assembly, release

Question 17

A negative-strand RNA virus must first perform which step upon entering a host cell?

Accepted Answer

Transcription of its RNA into a positive-sense RNA by viral replicase

Question 18

Which of the following is a medically important DNA virus that was the first to have a vaccine developed?

Accepted Answer

Smallpox virus

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of RNA replicase in RNA viruses?

Accepted Answer

It synthesizes RNA from an RNA template.

Question 20

Which of the following is a plausible reason why RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a concern for young children and infants?

Accepted Answer

It is prone to genetic change and can cause severe respiratory illness.

Viruses: Structure, Replication, and Diversity

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