Biology - Diseases: Genes and Viruses

What is the role of the p53 gene?

• P53 regulates cell reproduction; it is the tumor suppressor gene.

• P53 is responsible for DNA replication during cell division.

• P53 promotes cell growth and division.

• P53 is involved in the production of insulin.

How will the cell be affected after receiving viral DNA?

• It will die.

• It will become more efficient.

• It will replicate normally.

• It will produce more energy.

How many chromosomes are in each cell?

• 44

• 46 or 23 pairs

• 48

• 42

What is a capsid?

• A lipid membrane surrounding the virus.

• A protein coat/shell that protects the viral genome.

• A type of viral RNA.

• A carbohydrate layer that provides energy to the virus.

What would happen if there was a mutation in p53?

• The cell will stop dividing and repair itself.

• The cell will undergo apoptosis immediately.

• The cell will not be told to stop if it is damaged so division will continue and then possibly lead to cancer.

• The cell will become more efficient in its division process.

Why do people need to get a yearly vaccine for a virus or a booster shot for a vaccine?

• The virus can mutate or the antibody amount might go down.

• Vaccines are only effective for one year.

• People forget to get vaccinated regularly.

• Vaccines are not needed after childhood.

What is the purpose of mitosis?

• To produce 2 genetically identical daughter cells to help with growth and repair.

• To create genetic diversity among offspring.

• To facilitate the exchange of genetic material between cells.

• To produce energy for cellular functions.

Elephants have 40 copies of p53. Why is this important?

• They rarely get cancer because they have so many copies of p53.

• They can live longer due to enhanced metabolism.

• They have better memory retention than other animals.

• They can adapt to various climates more easily.

What characteristic of living things do viruses have?

• They can reproduce independently.

• They can evolve.

• They can perform photosynthesis.

• They can grow and develop.

Why is integration important for a virus AND how do viruses integrate their DNA into the hosts’ DNA?

• A virus needs to integrate into a cell to reproduce. First, it attaches to the cell. Then, it enters the DNA. The cell becomes a virus factory and exits the cell causing it to be destroyed.

• Viruses integrate their DNA by injecting it into the host's cytoplasm, where it replicates independently without affecting the host's DNA.

• Integration is not important for viruses; they can reproduce freely in the environment without needing a host cell.

• Viruses attach to the cell, release their RNA, and the host cell produces proteins that help the virus escape without integrating its DNA.