All living organisms have both DNA and RNA. A virus has either DNAor RNA but not both. So what does that tell us about viruses?

answer

watching

152

views

For unlimited access to Homework Help, a Homework+ subscription is required.

You have 0 free answers left.
Get unlimited access to 3.8 million step-by-step answers.

Get unlimited access

Already have an account? Log in

Irving HeathcoteLv2

27 Jan 2019

Unlock all answers

Get 1 free homework help answer.

Already have an account? Log in

Related questions

Researchers discovered a new virus and characterized its genome by determining the base composition and the percentage of each base. You want to categorize the virus by its genetic material. Remember that viruses carry their genetic material as DNA or RNA. Given what you know about the structure of the nucleic acids, propose a way to distinguish if the genetic material of this new virus is RNA or DNA, and whether it is single-stranded or doublestranded

QUESTION 1: The rabies virus primarily affects the nervous system. The specificity that the rabies virus has for neuronal host cells is primarily dictated by __________________________.

A. the helical shape of its viral capsid

B. the type of nucleic acid used for its viral genome (single-stranded, antisense RNA)

C. the spikes that protrude from its viral envelope

D. the segmented nature of its viral genome

QUESTION 2: Which of the following genome types has been observed in viruses? To be marked correct, you'll need to select all true statements, as there may be more than one correct answer.

A. Single-stranded RNA

B. Single-stranded DNA

C. Double-stranded RNA

D. Protein-based

QUESTION 3: Choose the correct statement about viral evolution.

A. RNA and DNA viral genomes evolve at equal rates.

B. Cellular genomes mutate at a faster rate than viral genomes due to their large size and increased chance of replicative mistakes.

C. DNA viruses mutate faster than RNA viruses because thymine is more susceptible to mutation than uracil.

D. RNA viruses mutate faster than DNA viruses due to a lack of proofreading replicative enzymes.

QUESTION 4: Your elderly patient is affected by shingles. After careful observation, you note that the virus responsible for the infection has an icosahedral capsid, is enveloped, and has double-stranded linear DNA as its genetic material. Based on this information, in which of the following viral families would you group this viral pathogen?

QUESTION 5: Which of the following is a key difference between lytic and lysogenic bacteriophage replication cycles?

A. Lysogenic bacteriophages release via host cell lysis, whereas lytic bacteriophages bud off from the host cell membrane.

B. The lytic replication cycle ends with host cell lysis and release of newly formed bacteriophage particles, whereas lysogenic replication leads to prophage formation.

C. Lytic replication requires an uncoating step, whereas in lysogenic replication, the bacteriophage's nucleic acid is directly injected into the host cell.

D. Whereas lytic replication enables the infection of several hosts, lysogenic replication only allows for infection of a single host cell.

QUESTION 6: Which of the following is an unsuitable culture method for an animal virus?

A. Direct inoculation of virus onto blood agar

B. Live animal inoculation

C. Tissue culture method

D. Injection of virus into embryonated eggs

Characteristics of Living Things (50 points)

Living things share 8 characteristics (listed in Chapter 1 of your textbook on page 19). A living thing grows, undergoes metabolism, responds to its environment, reproduces, passes DNA to the next generation, maintains homeostasis, changes over time, and is made up of cells. A non-living thing may seem to do one or more of these things, but to be classified as living; all eight characteristics must be present. Sometimes, you may see something that seems alive but is not. Though you canât see it, you have likely experienced it; one of those things is a virus.

Answer BOTH of the following questions:

Using all 8 of the characteristics that define life, indicate which one(s) viruses have and which one(s) they do not, and explain each difference.

With these results, present an argument that a virus is a living thing. Then, present the opposite argument that viruses are not alive.