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

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

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 #4 : Microbiology

Viruses can do which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Carry DNA

Respond to outside stimuli

Reproduce outside of a cell

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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