A virus that kills its host is said to be
Select one: a. lysogenic. b. virulent or lysogenic, but not temperate. c. lytic or virulent. d. temperate.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: c. lytic or virulent.
Explanation:
A virus that kills its host is typically described as a lytic or virulent virus. These types of viruses follow a lytic cycle, which involves infecting a host cell, replicating within the host, and eventually causing the host cell to burst (lyse), releasing new viral particles into the surrounding environment. This cycle results in the death of the host cell.
In the lytic cycle, the virus injects its genetic material (either DNA or RNA) into the host cell, which then uses the host’s cellular machinery to produce new viral components. The host cell becomes overwhelmed with viral particles and is eventually destroyed when the cell membrane bursts open, allowing the newly produced viruses to infect other cells.
The term virulent refers to the ability of a virus to cause disease, and in this context, it often describes viruses that are aggressive and actively destroy their host cells during the lytic cycle. Virulent viruses are typically more harmful to their host, as they replicate rapidly and cause severe damage to the infected organism.
On the other hand, lysogenic viruses do not immediately kill their host. Instead, they incorporate their genetic material into the host’s genome, becoming a part of the host’s cellular structure. This form of infection can remain dormant for a period of time before potentially entering the lytic cycle later on. Temperate viruses are those that can exist in either a lysogenic or lytic state. The distinction here is that the lysogenic cycle does not involve immediate death of the host cell, whereas the lytic cycle is characterized by the destruction of the host cell.
Therefore, a virus that kills its host is specifically a lytic or virulent virus, and not temperate or lysogenic.