QUESTION IMAGE
Question
viruses - comparison to cells
complete this table to compare cells to viruses by dragging a ✔️ or ❌ into each box.
statement | cells | viruses
contain genetic material
main genetic material can be dna
main genetic material can be rna
can reproduce on their own
can recognize cells via proteins & receptors
can produce their own proteins
most can be seen with a light microscope
Response
To solve this table, we analyze each statement based on the characteristics of cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) and viruses:
1. Contain genetic material
- Cells: All cells (prokaryotic, eukaryotic) have DNA (and some have RNA). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: All viruses have genetic material (DNA or RNA). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
2. Main genetic material can be DNA
- Cells: All cells (prokaryotic, eukaryotic) have DNA as their main genetic material. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Some viruses (e.g., bacteriophages, herpesviruses) have DNA as their main genetic material. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
3. Main genetic material can be RNA
- Cells: Cells never have RNA as their main genetic material (DNA is main). So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
- Viruses: Some viruses (e.g., HIV, influenza) have RNA as their main genetic material. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
4. Can reproduce on their own
- Cells: Cells can reproduce (e.g., mitosis, binary fission) independently. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Viruses require a host cell to reproduce (they are obligate parasites). So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
5. Can recognize cells via proteins & receptors
- Cells: Cells do not “recognize” other cells in the way viruses do (viruses use proteins to bind to host cell receptors). Cells interact, but this statement refers to viral recognition. So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
- Viruses: Viruses use surface proteins to bind to host cell receptors (e.g., COVID-19 spike protein binds to ACE2). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
6. Can produce their own proteins
- Cells: Cells have ribosomes to synthesize proteins. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Viruses lack ribosomes and rely on host cells to make proteins. So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
7. Most can be seen with a light microscope
- Cells: Most prokaryotic (e.g., bacteria) and eukaryotic cells are visible under a light microscope (e.g., plant/animal cells). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Viruses are too small (nanometer scale) to be seen with a light microscope (require electron microscopes). So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
Filled Table:
| Statement | Cells | Viruses |
|---|---|---|
| Main genetic material can be DNA | $\checkmark$ | $\checkmark$ |
| Main genetic material can be RNA | $\times$ | $\checkmark$ |
| Can reproduce on their own | $\checkmark$ | $\times$ |
| Can recognize cells via proteins & receptors | $\times$ | $\checkmark$ |
| Can produce their own proteins | $\checkmark$ | $\times$ |
| Most can be seen with a light microscope | $\checkmark$ | $\times$ |
(Note: Use $\checkmark$ for “yes” and $\times$ for “no” in each box.)
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To solve this table, we analyze each statement based on the characteristics of cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) and viruses:
1. Contain genetic material
- Cells: All cells (prokaryotic, eukaryotic) have DNA (and some have RNA). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: All viruses have genetic material (DNA or RNA). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
2. Main genetic material can be DNA
- Cells: All cells (prokaryotic, eukaryotic) have DNA as their main genetic material. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Some viruses (e.g., bacteriophages, herpesviruses) have DNA as their main genetic material. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
3. Main genetic material can be RNA
- Cells: Cells never have RNA as their main genetic material (DNA is main). So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
- Viruses: Some viruses (e.g., HIV, influenza) have RNA as their main genetic material. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
4. Can reproduce on their own
- Cells: Cells can reproduce (e.g., mitosis, binary fission) independently. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Viruses require a host cell to reproduce (they are obligate parasites). So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
5. Can recognize cells via proteins & receptors
- Cells: Cells do not “recognize” other cells in the way viruses do (viruses use proteins to bind to host cell receptors). Cells interact, but this statement refers to viral recognition. So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
- Viruses: Viruses use surface proteins to bind to host cell receptors (e.g., COVID-19 spike protein binds to ACE2). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
6. Can produce their own proteins
- Cells: Cells have ribosomes to synthesize proteins. So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Viruses lack ribosomes and rely on host cells to make proteins. So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
7. Most can be seen with a light microscope
- Cells: Most prokaryotic (e.g., bacteria) and eukaryotic cells are visible under a light microscope (e.g., plant/animal cells). So $\boldsymbol{\checkmark}$.
- Viruses: Viruses are too small (nanometer scale) to be seen with a light microscope (require electron microscopes). So $\boldsymbol{\times}$.
Filled Table:
| Statement | Cells | Viruses |
|---|---|---|
| Main genetic material can be DNA | $\checkmark$ | $\checkmark$ |
| Main genetic material can be RNA | $\times$ | $\checkmark$ |
| Can reproduce on their own | $\checkmark$ | $\times$ |
| Can recognize cells via proteins & receptors | $\times$ | $\checkmark$ |
| Can produce their own proteins | $\checkmark$ | $\times$ |
| Most can be seen with a light microscope | $\checkmark$ | $\times$ |
(Note: Use $\checkmark$ for “yes” and $\times$ for “no” in each box.)