Herpes simplex 1 is a virus that infects nerve cells in humans. The viral DNA can remain inactive for months or years at a time, until a stimulus such as stress or a hormonal change triggers viral replication. When the virus becomes active, it can cause a cold sore, or fever blister. In about a week, the cold sore heals, and the herpes simplex 1 virus remains inactive until it is triggered again.

Question

Which statement BEST describes the reproductive cycle of the herpes simplex 1 virus when a person does not have a cold sore?
A It is lysogenic, because it infects both neurons and skin cells.
B It is lytic, because the cold sore heals in a short period of time.
© It is lysogenic, because the virus remains inactive for a long period of time.
D It is lytic, because the virus can be triggered by hormonal changes.

Answer 1

The statement that BEST describes the reproductive cycle of the herpes simplex 1 virus when a person does not have a cold sore is:

C It is lysogenic, because the virus remains inactive for a long period of time.

In the lysogenic cycle, the virus can remain dormant (inactive) within the host cells (in this case, nerve cells) for extended periods, and it does not cause symptoms until it is triggered. In contrast, the lytic cycle involves active replication of the virus leading to cell death and the release of new viral particles, which is associated with the symptoms of an active infection, such as a cold sore.