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Ch. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
All textbooksTortora 14th EditionCh. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and PrionsProblem 13.2a
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Chapter 10, Problem 13.2a

The molecule serving as mRNA can be incorporated in the newly synthesized virus
capsids of all of the following except
a. + strand RNA picornaviruses.
b. + strand RNA togaviruses.
c. strand RNA rhabdoviruses.
d. double-stranded RNA reoviruses.
e. Rotavirus.

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1
Identify the type of nucleic acid each virus contains.
Understand that + strand RNA viruses can directly serve as mRNA.
Recognize that - strand RNA viruses need to be transcribed into + strand RNA to serve as mRNA.
Note that double-stranded RNA viruses have a different mechanism and cannot directly serve as mRNA.
Determine which virus type does not incorporate mRNA directly into its capsid.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

mRNA Function in Viruses

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a crucial molecule in the process of protein synthesis, serving as a template for translating genetic information into proteins. In the context of viruses, particularly RNA viruses, mRNA can be directly used by the host's ribosomes to produce viral proteins. Understanding how mRNA functions in viral replication is essential for identifying which viruses can incorporate mRNA into their capsids.
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Functional Groups

Types of RNA Viruses

RNA viruses can be classified into different categories based on their genome structure, including positive-sense (+) single-stranded RNA, negative-sense (-) single-stranded RNA, and double-stranded RNA. Positive-sense RNA viruses can directly serve as mRNA, while negative-sense RNA viruses must first be transcribed into a positive-sense form. This classification is vital for understanding the replication strategies of various viruses mentioned in the question.
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Introduction to Types of RNA

Viral Capsid Structure

The viral capsid is a protein shell that encases and protects the viral genome. It plays a critical role in the virus's ability to infect host cells and is involved in the assembly of new virions. Different types of RNA viruses have distinct capsid structures, which can influence their ability to incorporate mRNA during the assembly process, making it important to analyze which viruses can or cannot do so.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Place the following in the most likely order for biosynthesis of a bacteriophage: (1) phage lysozyme; (2) mRNA; (3) DNA; (4) viral proteins; (5) DNA polymerase.

a. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

b. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

c. 5, 3, 4, 2, 1

d. 3, 5, 2, 4, 1

e. 2, 5, 3, 4, 1

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Textbook Question

A viral species is not defined on the basis of the disease symptoms it causes. The best example of this is

a. polio.

b. rabies.

c. hepatitis.

d. chickenpox and shingles.

e. measles.

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Textbook Question

List the four properties that define a virus. What is a virion?

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Textbook Question

A virus with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

a. synthesizes DNA from an RNA template.

b. synthesizes double-stranded RNA from an RNA template.

c. synthesizes double-stranded RNA from a DNA template.

d. transcribes mRNA from DNA.

e. none of the above

114
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Textbook Question

Label the principal events of attachment, biosynthesis, entry, and maturation of a + stranded RNA virus. Draw in uncoating. <IMAGE>

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Textbook Question

Which of the following would be the first step in the biosynthesis of a virus with reverse transcriptase?

a. A complementary strand of RNA must be synthesized.

b. Double-stranded RNA must be synthesized.

c. A complementary strand of DNA must be synthesized from an RNA template.

d. A complementary strand of DNA must be synthesized from a DNA template.

e. none of the above

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