An experimental chemical has been shown to selectively cleave phosphodiester bonds. How would this affect a virus?

Question

A.  Fragment the genome
B.  Digest the capsid
C.  Dissociate the envelope
D.  Alter the host binding site
E.  Hydrolyze the protein coating

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about viral structure?
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

A.  Fragment the genome

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses viral structure.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about viral structure?
        o A virus will contain a genome made of DNA or RNA.
        o The genome will lie within a capsid made of protein.
        o It may have an envelope made of lipid membrane with proteins.    
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Would cleaving phosphodiester bonds digest the capsid? No, because that is formed of protein, and phosphodiester bonds are not found in proteins.
        o Would cleaving phosphodiester bonds dissociate the envelope? No, because that is formed of protein and lipids, and phosphodiester bonds are not found in proteins or most lipids.
        o Would cleaving phosphodiester bonds alter the host binding site? No, because that is likely a protein, and phosphodiester bonds are not found in proteins.
        o Would cleaving phosphodiester bonds hydrolyze the protein coating? No, because phosphodiester bonds are not found in proteins.
        o Would cleaving phosphodiester bonds fragment the genome? Yes, because viral genomes are made of either DNA or RNA, which contain phosphodiester bonds.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
        o Did you recognize that phosphodiester bonds are found only in DNA and RNA – thus they are found in the viral genome?