Which statement best describes viral reproduction
A. Viruses may contain DNA or RNA
B. The lysogenic phase of viral replication causes cell death while the lyric phase of viral replication results in prophage formation
C. Viral nucleic acid is inserted into a host cell where it may replicate immediately or become dormant until a later time
D. Viruses reproduce independent of cell based organisms
C. Viral nucleic acid is inserted into a host cell where it may replicate immediately or become dormant until a later time
The correct statement that best describes viral reproduction is C. Viral nucleic acid is inserted into a host cell where it may replicate immediately or become dormant until a later time.
To arrive at this answer, let's break down the other statements:
A. The statement "Viruses may contain DNA or RNA" is true for most viruses. Viruses can have either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.
B. The statement "The lysogenic phase of viral replication causes cell death while the lytic phase of viral replication results in prophage formation" is incorrect. In viral replication, the lysogenic phase refers to the viral DNA becoming dormant within the host cell without immediately causing cell death. The lytic phase, on the other hand, involves the replication of the viral genetic material and the subsequent lysis or destruction of the host cell. The term "prophage formation" is not directly associated with the lytic or lysogenic phase.
D. The statement "Viruses reproduce independent of cell-based organisms" is not entirely accurate. Viruses require host cells in order to replicate. They cannot carry out the processes of replication on their own and rely on the cellular machinery of the host organism.
This leaves us with option C, which correctly describes viral reproduction. When a virus infects a host cell, its nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) is inserted into the host cell's genetic machinery. At this point, the viral nucleic acid can either replicate immediately, leading to the production of new virus particles that may ultimately cause the death of the host cell, or it can remain dormant or latent within the host cell until a later time.
The statement that best describes viral reproduction is:
C. Viral nucleic acid is inserted into a host cell where it may replicate immediately or become dormant until a later time.