Chapter 33: Problem 1
What do host cells provide for viruses? a. ATP b. nucleotides and amino acids c. ribosomes d. all of the above
Short Answer
Expert verified
d. all of the above
Step by step solution
01
Understanding viral infection and replication
Viruses cannot replicate on their own, as they lack the necessary cellular machinery to perform various processes required for replication. Therefore, viruses must infect a host cell to use its machinery and resources. During the viral replication process, the virus hijacks the host cell’s machinery to produce necessary components and energy for new viral particles.
02
Evaluating ATP
ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is the primary energy source for most cellular processes. During viral replication, the host cell's energy in the form of ATP is utilized by the virus for the synthesis of its viral proteins and for the replication of its genetic material (DNA or RNA). Thus, host cells do provide ATP for viruses.
03
Evaluating nucleotides and amino acids
Nucleotides and amino acids are the building blocks of viral genetic material (DNA or RNA) and viral proteins, respectively. During viral replication, host cells supply the necessary nucleotides and amino acids for the synthesis of new viral genetic material and proteins. So, host cells provide nucleotides and amino acids to viruses.
04
Evaluating ribosomes
Ribosomes are cellular structures that synthesize proteins using amino acids, according to the genetic instructions encoded in mRNA. Viruses use host cell ribosomes for the synthesis of viral proteins, following the translation of viral mRNA. Consequently, host cells offer ribosomes to the viruses.
05
Final answer
Considering all the previous steps, we can conclude that host cells provide ATP, nucleotides and amino acids, and ribosomes for viruses during viral replication. Therefore, the correct answer is:
d. all of the above.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
ATP utilization
During viral replication, ATP is one of the key resources that viruses extract from their host cells. ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate, which is a molecule that acts as a primary energy currency in the cell.
Viruses are unable to produce ATP on their own because they lack cellular machinery. Therefore, they rely on their host's ATP to fuel various processes essential for their replication.
- Energy for viral processes: The virus utilizes the energy stored in ATP for viral assembly and the packaging of new virions.
- Supporting synthesis: ATP powers the synthesis of viral proteins and nucleic acids.
Host cell machinery
Viruses are fascinating because they need to hijack host cell machinery to replicate. They are not capable of autonomous reproduction as they do not have the cellular components necessary for replication.
Once a virus enters a host cell, it takes over its machinery to produce viral particles. Here are some of the components and processes of host cell machinery that viruses depend upon:
- Transcription machinery: Utilizes the host's enzymes to transcribe viral RNA into messenger RNA (mRNA).
- Replication machinery: Employs the host's DNA and RNA polymerases to replicate the viral genome.
- Transportation mechanisms: Relies on cellular systems for moving newly synthesized viral components around the cell.
Viral protein synthesis
Protein synthesis is a crucial step in the viral replication cycle. Viruses cannot synthesize their own proteins as they lack the ribosomes needed for this process. Instead, they depend on the host cell's ribosomes to create viral proteins.
After a virus infects a host cell, it uses the host's mRNA and ribosomal structures to synthesize proteins necessary for building new viral particles.
- Translation step: Viral mRNA is translated by the host ribosomes to form viral proteins.
- Post-translational modifications: Host cell machinery also assists in folding and modifying proteins for proper viral function.
Role of ribosomes
Ribosomes are essential cellular structures that play a central role in protein synthesis. For viruses, ribosomes are vital because they translate viral RNA into proteins, which are needed to form new viral particles.
Once inside the host cell, a virus delivers its genetic material, often in the form of RNA, which is then translated by ribosomes. Here’s why ribosomes are indispensable for viral replication:
- Translation of viral mRNA: Ribosomes use the coding information in mRNA to assemble amino acids into viral proteins.
- Ribosomal resources: The ribosome's translational machinery is hijacked to produce viral components rather than host proteins.
Nucleotides and amino acids
Nucleotides and amino acids are two fundamental building blocks that viruses require from host cells. They are crucial for synthesizing viral genetic material and proteins, respectively.
- Nucleotides: These are the subunits of DNA and RNA. Viruses use them to replicate their genomes, ensuring they can continue infecting new cells.
- Amino acids: These organic compounds are used to build proteins. Viral proteins, which are formed from amino acids, are critical for the structure and replication of viruses.