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Viruses are made up of the same biomolecules as cellular organisms (DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, etc.), which are synthesized through enzymatic dehydration reactions from building blocks and disassembled by enzymatic hydrolysis. They infect cells and replicate themselves using resources from the host cells. Scientists discovered a previously unknown strain of virus in the tropical Pacific Ocean and it can infect higher-order eukaryotes. Initial analysis revealed that the virus is mainly composed of nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids.

Chemical analysis after complete hydrolysis revealed the following building blocks (by weight):

Chemical components : Nucleosides Amino acids Lipids, phosphates, and carbohydrates
Percentage by weight : 20 30 50

Analysis of percentages of nucleosides yielded the following results (by molar ratio):

Nucleosides : A G T C U
Percentage by mole : 19 29 19 29 4

Which of the following events mostly involves hydrolysis reaction after the virus infects a eukaryotic cell?

A) The virus degrades host RNA.
B) The virus synthesizes its own protein.
C) The virus assembles new particles of progeny.
D) The virus replicates its genetic material (DNA or RNA).

User Alcamtar
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1 Answer

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The event that mostly involves hydrolysis reaction after the virus infects a eukaryotic cell is the virus degrading host RNA.

Absolutely When a virus infects a eukaryotic cell, it utilizes the host cell's machinery to reproduce and create copies of itself.

Certain viruses, particularly RNA viruses, employ RNA dependent RNA polymerase to synthesize viral RNA from the host's RNA strands.

This intricate process involves hydrolysis reactions, essential for the breakdown of the host's nucleic acids to facilitate the creation of new viral RNA strands.

The RNA dependent RNA polymerase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the host's RNA molecules, fragmenting them into smaller units.

These nucleotide building blocks from the host cell are then utilized by the viral enzyme to synthesize viral RNA, replicating the virus within the host cell.

Thus, in this scenario, the hydrolysis reaction primarily involves the degradation or breakdown of the host's RNA by the viral enzyme.

This action supports the synthesis of viral RNA, a pivotal step in the virus's replication process within the infected eukaryotic cell. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial in comprehending the strategies viruses employ to propagate and manipulate host cellular machinery for their replication and spread.

User Gargaroff
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