Which of the following types of viruses would you expect to require periods of latency? a. viruses that have large genomes and require a long time for replication b viruses that require a long time for transmission to new hosts c viruses that require a long time for assembly into complex structures d. viruses that infect cells of the immune system

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of latency in viruses. Latency is a period during a viral infection when the virus is present in the host but does not cause symptoms. This is often because the virus is not actively replicating.
2. Step 2: Analyze each option in the context of latency. Viruses with large genomes (option a) may require a long time for replication, but this does not necessarily mean they require periods of latency. Similarly, viruses that require a long time for transmission to new hosts (option b) or assembly into complex structures (option c) may not necessarily require latency periods.
3. Step 3: Consider option d, which refers to viruses that infect cells of the immune system. These viruses often require periods of latency. This is because they can hide in immune cells, avoiding detection and destruction by the immune system. During these periods of latency, the virus is not causing symptoms but can reactivate at a later time.
4. Step 4: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is option d. Viruses that infect cells of the immune system are the ones that would require periods of latency.
5. Step 5: Remember that latency is a strategy used by some viruses to evade the immune system and establish long-term infections. Examples of such viruses include HIV and herpes simplex virus.