Consider the following statements with respect to viruses:1. A virus c...
- Viruses are non-living and made up of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat. They can replicate. However, they cannot reproduce on their own. They reproduce when inside a living cell. Therefore viruses pose a special classification problem. Viruses are extremely small and can be seen only under the electron microscope. They are smaller than the smallest bacteria. They can pass through fiters which retain bacteria.
- Virus has a simple structure consisting of a core and a cover. The core particle is the genetic material, either DNA or RNA. The cover is a protein coat called capsid. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
- A virus cannot reproduce by itself. For its reproduction it needs to enter the cell of some organism. From the host cell, it uses the raw material and enzymes and energy generating machinery of the host cell to produce its own DNA. A number of virus particles are thus formed inside the host cell. The host cell bursts to release the new virus particles. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Viruses are known to attack bacteria, plants or animals. Viruses which invade bacteria are called bacteriophages. Viruses are highly specific in their relationship with the host and tissue.
- Viroids are circular RNA molecules, consisting of several hundred nucleotides. They infect plants and even kill them. In plants, they use enzymes of the plant cells to replicate like the viruses do. Hence statement 3 is not correct.
- Viruses are responsible for causing many diseases, including:
- AIDS, Common cold, Ebola, Herpes, Influenza, Measles, Chickenpox and shingles, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Hepatits, Small Pox, Dengue etc. Antibiotics designed for bacteria have no effect on viruses. Hence statement 4 is correct.
Consider the following statements with respect to viruses:1. A virus c...
Analysis of Statements on Viruses
To determine the correctness of the statements regarding viruses, let’s evaluate each one:
Statement 1: A virus cannot reproduce by itself and needs to enter an organism for its reproduction.
- This statement is correct. Viruses lack the cellular machinery required for reproduction and must infect a host cell to replicate.
Statement 2: The genetic material inside the virus consists of RNA only.
- This statement is incorrect. Viruses can contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material. Some viruses have DNA, while others have RNA, making it a mix rather than RNA only.
Statement 3: A virus which infects and replicates within a bacteria is called a viroid.
- This statement is incorrect. A virus that infects bacteria is known as a bacteriophage. Viroids are actually simpler entities that consist solely of RNA and do not have a protein coat; they primarily infect plants.
Statement 4: The diseases of Herpes and Hepatitis are caused by viruses.
- This statement is correct. Both Herpes and Hepatitis are viral infections; Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, and Hepatitis can be caused by several different viruses, including Hepatitis A, B, and C.
Conclusion
- Out of the four statements, only two are correct: Statements 1 and 4. Therefore, the answer to the question is option B (Only two).
This analysis highlights the importance of understanding virus classification and characteristics to accurately assess statements related to virology.
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