Test Your Knowledge: Persistent Viruses That Can Reactivate Periodically
Dive into questions on viruses unable to multiply outside a host cell and spot which oncogenic viral families don't belong. Think you can ace it?
This quiz helps you practice key ideas on persistent viruses that can reactivate periodically, including host dependence, virus family names, viroids, and oncogenic viruses. Use it to spot gaps before an exam or lab and build confidence, then try the related quiz for extra practice.
Study Outcomes
- Identify Persistent Viruses That Reactivate Periodically -
Explain what persistent viruses that can reactivate periodically are and how they maintain latency and trigger recurrent infections in host cells.
- Analyze Host Dependence of Viral Replication -
Describe why viruses are unable to multiply outside of a host cell by examining viral replication mechanisms and host-cell interactions.
- Classify Major Virus Families -
Differentiate between virus family names - such as Herpesviridae and Orthomyxoviridae - based on defining genomic and structural characteristics.
- Differentiate Oncogenic from Non-Oncogenic Viruses -
Apply "oncogenic viruses include all the following except" scenarios to identify which viruses are truly associated with tumor formation versus those that are not.
- Explain Naked RNA Viral Structures -
Explain what naked strands of RNA not covered by a capsid are and assess their impact on viral stability and classification.
Cheat Sheet
- Mechanisms of Viral Latency -
Persistent viruses that can reactivate periodically are often members of the Herpesviridae family, such as HSV-1 and VZV, which establish latency in neurons. Reactivation triggers include stress, UV exposure, and immunosuppression. Mnemonic "HERePAWs" helps recall: Herpes Entering Nerve cells, Pause, Awakening by Stress.
- Virus Family Nomenclature -
Identifying which of the following represents a virus family name hinges on the suffix "-viridae," like Picornaviridae or Togaviridae. Remember "Viridae = Very Important Reliable Infectious Disease Entities Always" to spot true family names. This systematic naming comes from the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
- Obligate Intracellular Replication -
Viruses are unable to multiply outside of a host cell because they lack critical organelles such as ribosomes and mitochondria for ATP production. They hijack host machinery for transcription and translation, making them obligate intracellular parasites. Recall the phrase "no host, no growth" to cement this concept.
- Oncogenic Virus Exceptions -
Oncogenic viruses include all the following except Rhinovirus; key oncogenic families are Papillomaviridae (HPV), Hepadnaviridae (HBV), and Herpesviridae (EBV). Use the mnemonic "H³: HPV, HBV, HHV-4 (EBV)" to remember true oncogenic agents. This classification is supported by WHO and CDC cancer studies.
- Naked RNA Agents: Viroids -
Naked strands of RNA not covered by a capsid are known as viroids, which are small, circular, plant-infecting molecules. Unlike viruses, viroids lack a protein coat and rely on host RNA polymerases for replication. A classic example is the Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid, best remembered by "PSTV causes tuber twists."