Which describes inactive viruses?
The virus enters the cell and immediately starts reproducing.
When a cell divides, the virus’s genetic material is copied along with the cell’s.
The cell helps the virus multiply, and the virus keeps the cell safe.
None of the statements describe inactive viruses.
Inactive viruses, also known as latent or dormant viruses, do not immediately start reproducing upon entering the cell. They are characterized by their ability to remain in a dormant state within the host cell for an extended period of time.
During cell division, the virus's genetic material may or may not be copied along with the cell's. This depends on whether the virus has taken up a latent/inactive state or entered a lytic/active state.
The third statement, that the cell helps the virus multiply and keeps the cell safe, is also incorrect. Inactive viruses do not actively multiply with the assistance of the host cell. Instead, they remain dormant and do not cause harm to the cell.
Based on the given options, the correct description of inactive viruses is:
"When a cell divides, the virus’s genetic material is copied along with the cell’s."
To determine the correct answer, let's understand the options provided:
1. "The virus enters the cell and immediately starts reproducing": This description does not match inactive viruses. Inactive viruses do not immediately start reproducing upon entering the cell. Instead, they remain dormant or inactive.
2. "When a cell divides, the virus's genetic material is copied along with the cell's": This statement accurately describes inactive viruses. When a cell divides, the genetic material of the virus is replicated along with the cell's genetic material. The copied genetic material allows the inactive virus to persist within the newly formed cell.
3. "The cell helps the virus multiply, and the virus keeps the cell safe": This option does not describe inactive viruses. Inactive viruses do not actively multiply or keep the host cell safe. Instead, they remain dormant until certain conditions trigger their activation.
Therefore, the correct answer is: "When a cell divides, the virus’s genetic material is copied along with the cell’s."
Based on the given options, the correct description of inactive viruses is:
When a cell divides, the virus's genetic material is copied along with the cell's.