Compare and contrast a provirus and viral DNA.(1 point)

Responses

A provirus is bacterial DNA incorporated into the viral DNA.
A provirus is bacterial DNA incorporated into the viral DNA.

A provirus is the host cell’s DNA that has been destroyed.
A provirus is the host cell’s DNA that has been destroyed.

A provirus is newly replicated viral DNA after injection.
A provirus is newly replicated viral DNA after injection.

A provirus is viral DNA incorporated into the host cell’s DNA.

3 answers

A provirus is viral DNA incorporated into the host cell’s DNA. In contrast, viral DNA refers to the genetic material of the virus itself, which may exist as a free, independent entity before it integrates into the host genome. Therefore, the key difference is that a provirus is integrated into the host cell's DNA, whereas viral DNA can exist in both integrated and unintegrated states within a host.

A provirus is bacterial DNA incorporated into the viral DNA.
A provirus is bacterial DNA incorporated into the viral DNA.

A provirus is the host cell’s DNA that has been destroyed.
A provirus is the host cell’s DNA that has been destroyed.

A provirus is newly replicated viral DNA after injection.
A provirus is newly replicated viral DNA after injection.

A provirus is viral DNA incorporated into the host cell’s DNA.

The correct statement is: A provirus is viral DNA incorporated into the host cell’s DNA.

To clarify the definitions:

  1. A provirus is not bacterial DNA; it specifically refers to viral DNA that has been integrated into the genome of a host cell.
  2. A provirus does not describe the host cell's DNA that has been destroyed; rather, it indicates that the viral DNA is now residing within the host's DNA.
  3. A provirus is not simply newly replicated viral DNA after injection; it refers to viral DNA that is permanently incorporated into the host cell's genome.
  4. The correct understanding of a provirus emphasizes its role in the host cell's DNA, making it a crucial part of the viral life cycle, particularly in lysogenic infections.

Thus, the comparison highlights that a provirus is a stage of viral DNA that has integrated into the host's genetic material, whereas general viral DNA can exist separately and may not yet be integrated.