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Since viruses are not living, they have to somehow highjack the DNA of a living cell. They then use their DNA or RNA to give instructions to make virus parts instead of the normal cell parts. Once the parts are assembled, the viruses crowd the cell and break free, killing the cell, to do it again and again.

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11y ago

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Why does a virus need energy?

Viruses do not directly need energy. The virus takes control of the host cell in order to replicate. The host cell's own metabolic machinery is used to synthesize the components of new viruses. The virus itself is passive.


When viruses synthesize proteins what form of genetic information is used?

Messenger RNA


Are viruses living cells?

No, they are not alive at all.


Can a smaller virus affect a bigger virus?

No because a virus is simply genetic material coated in a protein shell. Internally, viruses do not have the components, which are commonly found in cells, necessary to propagate "offspring."


Do viruses produce cellular proteins?

Viruses do produce cellular proteins that are necessary for viral synthesis.


What are the two basic components of viruses?

The two basic components of viruses are genetic material (either DNA or RNA) and a protein coat that surrounds and protects the genetic material.


Why are viruses made of cells?

Viruses are made of cell parts because they cannot synthesize the materials without a host cell. Protein coats and the material for the nucleic acid are taken entirely from the host cell using its energy.


The basic components of all viruses are a nucleic acid and what other structure?

fg


Why does a virus not have both DNA and RNA?

Because it doesn't use it's DNA or RNA to function, it uses it to inject into a cell and switch the cell's instructions to its own so the cell will make more viruses. Cells have DNA and RNA to tell the cell what to do, but viruses just do it naturally. Viruses have no use for both.


True of false when a virus is active the cell makes the virus's proteins and genetic material and new viruses are made?

The components of the new virus actually assemble them selves through a complex process called "Self Assembly"


Viruses must reproduce in a cell because they lack organelles needed to duplicate viral components?

. Viruses must reproduce in a host cell because they lack organelles needed to duplicate viral components. True or false


What are the similarities between viruses and ribosomes?

Ribosomes are made up of cellular skeletal components viruses are essentially prokaryotic bacterium which had mutated during evolution