Question

Compare and contrast prophage and provirus. Which are you likely to carry?

1) Prophage
2) Provirus
3) Both Prophage and Provirus
4) Neither Prophage nor Provirus

Answer 1

A prophage is the viral DNA that has integrated into the bacterial chromosome and remains dormant in the host cell, while a provirus is the viral DNA that has integrated into the host cell's genome in eukaryotic cells. You are likely to carry a provirus since it integrates into the genome of eukaryotic cells that are present in humans.

Step-by-step explanation:

A prophage is the viral DNA that has integrated into the bacterial chromosome and remains dormant in the host cell. It can be activated to enter the lytic cycle, where it replicates and destroys the host cell. A provirus, on the other hand, is the viral DNA that has integrated into the host cell's genome, typically in eukaryotic cells. It remains dormant and can be activated to enter the lytic cycle.

You are more likely to carry a provirus since it integrates into the genome of eukaryotic cells, which are present in humans. Prophages are typically found in bacteria and are not present in human cells.