viruses
Viruses hijack cellular machinery. This topic is part of Biology within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 15 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
viruses trivia questions
Viruses need what to reproduce?
Answer: Host cells
Bonus fact: Viruses hijack cellular machinery.
A virus contains genetic material surrounded by what protein shell?
Answer: Capsid
Bonus fact: The capsid protects viral DNA or RNA.
Are viruses generally considered cells?
Answer: No
Bonus fact: They lack independent cellular metabolism.
What scientific field studies microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, archaea, algae, and viruses?
Answer: Microbiology
Bonus fact: Microbiology includes the study of many different kinds of microscopic life and infectious agents.
Viruses can reproduce only by using the machinery of what?
Answer: Host cells
Bonus fact: Viruses are noncellular entities containing DNA or RNA enclosed by protein.
What distinguishes a computer worm from many traditional computer viruses?
Answer: A worm can spread itself across networks without attaching to a host file
Bonus fact: Self-propagation can allow worms to spread very quickly when vulnerable systems are connected.
A bacteriophage is a virus that infects what?
Answer: Bacteria
Bonus fact: Phage means eater, referring to viruses that attack bacteria.
Why don't antibiotics cure the common cold?
Answer: Colds are caused by viruses
Bonus fact: Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
A computer virus is what type of software?
Answer: Malicious software
Bonus fact: Viruses are a type of malware.
An infection occurs when harmful microorganisms enter and multiply in what?
Answer: A host
Bonus fact: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can cause infections.
A virus must use what to reproduce?
Answer: Host cell
Bonus fact: Viruses depend on cellular machinery.
What protein shell surrounds the genetic material of a virus?
Answer: Capsid
Bonus fact: Some viruses also have a lipid envelope.