Question

4. There is increasing concern over the rise of antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations. Explain how bacteriophages might be used for controlling bacterial populations. Why should they be safe to humans?

5. You have discovered a new (-) mRNA virus!

a. Propose how, upon infecting a cell, copies of the viral genome and proteins will be produced.

b. How would this differ from a (+) mRNA virus?

6. Briefly sketch out and explain the life cycle of HIV. What is the impact of the lack of proofreading ability of reverse transcriptase on populations of HIV? Why does HIV carry along the enzymes reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease?

7. Explain prion diseases. What are they and how are they caused? Can they be cured?

Answer 1

4. Bacteriophages are the viruses which specifically attack bacteria. They attach to the bacteria and transfer thier genetic material into the bacterial cell. The genetic material is copied and new bacteriophages are generated within 30 minutes of the reproduction (lytic cycle). At the end they destroy the bacteria and evade to new bacteria.

Bacterioohages are the simple living entities with genetic material and protein coat around it. They are not able to infect animal or plants (simply eukaryotic cells). They can be used to control bacterial population just like antibiotics.

Bacteriophages will be safe to humans since they will kill specifically only few bacteria not all. This way only bad/pathogenic bacteria will be targeted and bacteria good for our health will not be killed. It is better than antibiotics in this view because antibiotics have drastic effect on all types of bacteria.