Viruses infect all forms of organisms. True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: True
Viruses do infect all forms of organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and even archaea. Despite their simple structure, viruses are remarkably adaptable and diverse in their strategies for infecting different hosts. Each type of virus is usually specific to a particular host or group of hosts. This specificity is often determined by the presence of suitable receptors on the host cell surface and the virus’s ability to replicate using the host’s cellular machinery.
In animals, viruses can cause a wide range of diseases, such as influenza, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19. In plants, viral infections can lead to symptoms like mottling, stunted growth, or leaf distortion, which can negatively impact crop yields. In bacteria, viruses called bacteriophages attach to the bacterial cell wall and inject their genetic material, leading to the replication of new viruses and sometimes the destruction of the host cell. Archaea, which are microorganisms similar to bacteria but genetically distinct, are also susceptible to viruses known as archaeal viruses.
The ability of viruses to infect all life forms makes them unique among biological agents. This widespread infectivity contributes significantly to the transfer of genetic material between organisms, influencing evolution and ecological balance. Additionally, studying viruses that infect different types of hosts has helped scientists understand fundamental biological processes, such as gene expression and cellular regulation.
Although viruses are not considered living organisms due to their inability to reproduce independently outside a host cell, their interaction with all domains of life makes them significant players in biology and medicine. This broad host range demonstrates their adaptability and evolutionary success, reinforcing the truth of the statement that viruses infect all forms of organisms.