Biology 2010 Student Edition

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 9780133669510
ISBN 13: 978-0-13366-951-0

Chapter 20, Viruses and Prokaryotes - Assessment - 20.1 Viruses - Understand Key Concepts/Think Critically - Page 596: 6

Answer

First, a virus enters a cell. It then takes over the cell's machinery, using its DNA to transcribe viral mRNA. The viral proteins made from the viral mRNA destroy the host cell's DNA. The host cell now makes thousands of copies of the viral DNA and the protein coat, assembling them into new viruses. The viruses break out of the host cell, destroying the host cell in the process.

Work Step by Step

First, a virus enters a cell. It then takes over the cell's machinery, using its DNA to transcribe viral mRNA. The viral proteins made from the viral mRNA destroy the host cell's DNA. The host cell now makes thousands of copies of the viral DNA and the protein coat, assembling them into new viruses. The viruses break out of the host cell, destroying the host cell in the process.
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