The diagram shows the structure of a type of virus - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 3 - 2015
Question 3
The diagram shows the structure of a type of virus.
(a) What is the main chemical constituent of part A?
(b) Viruses are obligate parasites. What does this mean in... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows the structure of a type of virus - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 3 - 2015
Step 1
What is the main chemical constituent of part A?
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Answer
The main chemical constituent of part A is protein.
Step 2
Viruses are obligate parasites. What does this mean in relation to viruses?
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Answer
Obligate parasites are organisms that can only replicate (or reproduce) inside a host cell. Therefore, viruses can only replicate using a cell, as they depend on the host's cellular machinery for reproduction.
Step 3
B is one of two possible biomolecules. Name one of these.
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B can be either RNA or DNA.
Step 4
Name one virus that causes disease in plants.
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One example of a virus that causes disease in plants is the mosaic virus.
Step 5
How do scientists distinguish between different viruses?
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Scientists distinguish between different viruses based on factors such as the shape of the protein coat, the type of nucleic acid they possess (RNA or DNA), or by the specific antibody-antigen reactions they trigger.
Step 6
Viruses are difficult to classify into a kingdom. Why is this so?
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Viruses are difficult to classify into a kingdom because they are non-cellular structures and do not contain cellular organelles. Therefore, they do not fit the traditional definitions of life.
Step 7
Give one way in which viruses are economically important to humans.
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Viruses are economically important to humans as they can be used in the manufacture of vaccines, for genetic engineering, or in medical research to control diseases.
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