Exams › NEET › Biology

Viruses are obligate parasites, meaning they must infect a host cell to replicate. They exhibit structural variations such as helical capsids (e.g., Tobacco Mosaic Virus), polyhedral shapes (e.g., Poliovirus), and a combination of helical and polyhedral forms (e.g., bacteriophages like T2). Antibiotics are ineffective against them, and only antiviral drugs can target them. Which of the following statements about viruses is accurate?

1. The outer covering of a virus is called the capsid, which is made up of protein units known as capsomeres.
2. Mad cow disease, or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), is a condition where cattle develop a spongy brain and progressive nervous system degeneration. It is caused by prions, which are infectious protein particles lacking nucleic acids.
3. Viruses can survive only within host cells, where they utilize the host's machinery for their metabolic processes.
4. A virus is a nucleoprotein structure that becomes functional only inside a living host cell, where it uses the host's machinery for reproduction. The capsid is a protein coat that encases the genetic material.

Correct answer: A virus is a nucleoprotein structure that becomes functional only inside a living host cell, where it uses the host's machinery for reproduction. The capsid is a protein coat that encases the genetic material.

Solution

Option D is correct because it accurately describes the nature of viruses as nucleoprotein entities that require a host cell for activation and replication. The capsid is indeed the protein covering the genetic material.

Related NEET Biology questions

• The smallest unit of classification is known as
• Taxonomically, what is species?
• The system of giving one name to the individual is called
• Genus is a group of similar and related
• The main difference in Gram (+ve and Gram (–)ve bacteria resides in their
• Photosynthetic bacteria have pigments in

⚔️ Practice NEET Biology free + battle 1v1 →