IB Biology HL -Viruses - Exam Style Questions Paper 1
Question
What is the name for the protein shell of a virus that encloses the genetic material?
(a) Virion
(b) Capsid
(c) Peplomers
(d) Capsomers
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The capsid is the protein shell that encloses the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a virus.
It is made up of protein subunits called capsomers.
Question
What forms the genome of a virus?
(a) DNA
(b) RNA
(c) Either DNA or RNA
(d) Both DNA and RNA
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The genome of a virus can be made up of either DNA or RNA, but not both. It depends on the type of virus:
Question
Which is the largest known virus?
(a) Megavirus chilensis
(b) Arbovirus
(c) Herpesvirus
(d) Mumps virus
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Megavirus chilensis is the largest known virus. It has a very large genome and is significantly bigger than most viruses.
Question
Which virus has complex symmetry?
(a) T4 bacteriophage
(b) Adenovirus
(c) Influenza virus
(d) All of the above
▶️Answer/Explanation
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
T4 bacteriophage has complex symmetry. It is a bacteriophage (virus that infects bacteria) with a head-tail structure, which combines both icosahedral symmetry (for the head) and helical symmetry (for the tail), making it a complex virus in terms of symmetry.
