Viruses

Front

What is a capsid?

Back

A capsid is a protective coat made of protein that surrounds the genetic material of a virus.

Front

Can viruses reproduce on their own?

Back

No, viruses can only reproduce inside of a living cell.

Front

What do viruses need to reproduce?

Back

Viruses need a host cell to reproduce.

Front

Are viruses considered cells?

Back

No, viruses are not cells; they are acellular.

Front

What types of genetic material can viruses have?

Back

Viruses can have either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.

Front

What is the primary function of a virus's capsid?

Back

The primary function of a virus's capsid is to protect its genetic material and assist in the infection of host cells.

Front

How do viruses differ from bacteria?

Back

Viruses are not living organisms and cannot reproduce independently, while bacteria are living cells that can reproduce on their own.

Front

What is a host cell?

Back

A host cell is a living cell that a virus infects to reproduce and carry out its life cycle.

Front

What happens to a virus after it infects a host cell?

Back

After infecting a host cell, a virus hijacks the cell's machinery to replicate itself.

Front

What is the role of viral proteins?

Back

Viral proteins help the virus attach to and enter host cells, and they are also involved in the assembly of new virus particles.