SAT II Biology E : Viruses

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Biology E

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Viruses

Which of the following is true about viruses?

Possible Answers:

Viruses will immediately infect any living thing, and are unable to be removed.

Viruses consist of a nucleus, cell membrane, and several mitochondria in order to make their own energy.

Viruses are considered to be non-living organisms.

Viruses reproduce via sexual reproduction.

Correct answer:

Viruses are considered to be non-living organisms.

Explanation:

Viruses are considered non-living organisms because they have no organelles or other cellular machinery, they cannot reproduce without a host cell, and they have no metabolic activity. 

Example Question #2 : Viruses

Viruses can do which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Reproduce outside of a cell

Respond to outside stimuli

Carry DNA

Metabolize chemical compounds

Produce proteins

Correct answer:

Carry DNA

Explanation:

All viruses can and must carry either DNA or RNA (but not both). However, viruses cannot reproduce on their own, and must infect a host cell in order to manufacture more copies of itself. They cannot respond to outside stimulus as they do not have any functional parts, such as mitochondria, ribosomes, or a nucleus. For the same reason, viruses also cannot produce proteins or metabolize chemical compounds. 

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