Compare and contrast the ways in which animal, plant, and bacterial viruses gain entry into their host cells.

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Because cells have different types of barriers against the outside world, viruses have evolved different ways of breaching these barriers. For example, viruses cannot easily invade cells that have rigid, protective cell walls (such as plant and bacterial cells). Viruses that infect these cells gain entry by direct injection (as observed in bacteriophage T4), by taking advantage of damage to the cell wall (as with some plant viruses), or by enlisting the aid of insects that are themselves parasites (as with some other plant viruses). In contrast, animal cells have no cell wall; therefore, animal viruses employ three basic strategies to enter through the flexible cytoplasmic membrane. Some animal viruses directly penetrate this membrane (either the entire virus or just its genome), whereas other viruses take advantage of natural cellular processes such as phagocytosis to gain entry into the cell. Enveloped animal viruses also can use the process of membrane fusion to get inside an animal cell.

Biology & Microbiology

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How are the zygote and the dikaryotic stages of a fungal life cycle related?

A. The dikaryotic stage gives rise to the zygote through karyogamy. B. The dikaryotic stage and zygote stage are both diploid. C. The zygote stage gives rise to the dikaryotic stage through plasmogamy. D. The dikaryotic stage and zygote stage occur only in asexual life cycles. E. The zygote stage gives rise to the dikaryotic stage through meiosis.

Biology & Microbiology

Mycoplasmas are organisms without cell walls. Which antimicrobial agents would be ineffective in treating infections involving this bacterium?

a. Tetracycline b. Aminoglycosides c. Penicillin d. Rifampin

Biology & Microbiology

An energy drink that is marketed towards athletes promises to boost endurance, decrease muscle fatigue, and promote recovery. It contains caffeine, B vitamins, taurine, malic acid, and phenylalanine. Is this claim plausible?

A. No. These substances have not been shown to alter human physiology in any way. B. Yes. These substances have been shown to have benefits including increased athletic performance, increased energy, and the production of proteins in the body.

Biology & Microbiology

How are gene therapy and recombinant DNA technology related?

What will be an ideal response?

Biology & Microbiology