Marine Virology

Description: This quiz covers the fundamentals of Marine Virology, the study of viruses that inhabit marine environments.
Number of Questions: 16
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Tags: marine biology virology oceanography
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What is the primary role of viruses in marine ecosystems?

  1. Primary producers

  2. Decomposers

  3. Parasites

  4. Nitrogen fixers


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Viruses primarily act as parasites, infecting and lysing marine organisms, including phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish.

Which of the following is NOT a type of marine virus?

  1. Bacteriophage

  2. Phytophage

  3. Zoophage

  4. Mycophage


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Bacteriophage, phytophage, and zoophage are types of marine viruses that infect bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton, respectively. Mycophage is not a type of marine virus.

What is the term used to describe the process by which viruses infect and lyse marine organisms?

  1. Viral replication

  2. Viral lysis

  3. Viral transduction

  4. Viral assembly


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Viral lysis is the process by which viruses infect and lyse marine organisms, resulting in the release of viral progeny.

Which of the following is NOT a potential impact of marine viruses on marine ecosystems?

  1. Regulation of phytoplankton populations

  2. Release of organic matter into the environment

  3. Contribution to the cycling of nutrients

  4. Enhancement of primary productivity


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Marine viruses can have various impacts on marine ecosystems, including regulation of phytoplankton populations, release of organic matter, and contribution to nutrient cycling. However, they generally do not enhance primary productivity.

What is the term used to describe the transfer of genetic material from one organism to another by a virus?

  1. Viral transduction

  2. Viral replication

  3. Viral assembly

  4. Viral lysis


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Viral transduction is the process by which genetic material is transferred from one organism to another by a virus.

Which of the following is NOT a type of viral transduction?

  1. Generalized transduction

  2. Specialized transduction

  3. Lytic transduction

  4. Lateral transduction


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Generalized transduction, specialized transduction, and lateral transduction are types of viral transduction. Lytic transduction is not a type of viral transduction.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse phytoplankton, leading to a decrease in phytoplankton biomass and an increase in bacterial abundance?

  1. Viral shunt

  2. Viral loop

  3. Viral lysis

  4. Viral replication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Viral shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse phytoplankton, leading to a decrease in phytoplankton biomass and an increase in bacterial abundance.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of the viral shunt?

  1. Increased carbon export to the deep ocean

  2. Enhanced nutrient recycling

  3. Stimulation of bacterial growth

  4. Increased primary productivity


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The viral shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of bacterial growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased primary productivity.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse bacteria, leading to a decrease in bacterial abundance and an increase in phytoplankton biomass?

  1. Bacterial shunt

  2. Bacterial loop

  3. Bacterial lysis

  4. Bacterial replication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Bacterial shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse bacteria, leading to a decrease in bacterial abundance and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of the bacterial shunt?

  1. Increased carbon export to the deep ocean

  2. Enhanced nutrient recycling

  3. Stimulation of phytoplankton growth

  4. Increased bacterial abundance


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The bacterial shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased bacterial abundance.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse zooplankton, leading to a decrease in zooplankton biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass?

  1. Zooplankton shunt

  2. Zooplankton loop

  3. Zooplankton lysis

  4. Zooplankton replication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Zooplankton shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse zooplankton, leading to a decrease in zooplankton biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of the zooplankton shunt?

  1. Increased carbon export to the deep ocean

  2. Enhanced nutrient recycling

  3. Stimulation of phytoplankton growth

  4. Increased zooplankton abundance


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The zooplankton shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased zooplankton abundance.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse fish, leading to a decrease in fish biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass?

  1. Fish shunt

  2. Fish loop

  3. Fish lysis

  4. Fish replication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Fish shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse fish, leading to a decrease in fish biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of the fish shunt?

  1. Increased carbon export to the deep ocean

  2. Enhanced nutrient recycling

  3. Stimulation of phytoplankton growth

  4. Increased fish abundance


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The fish shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased fish abundance.

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse marine mammals, leading to a decrease in marine mammal biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass?

  1. Marine mammal shunt

  2. Marine mammal loop

  3. Marine mammal lysis

  4. Marine mammal replication


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Marine mammal shunt is the phenomenon where viruses infect and lyse marine mammals, leading to a decrease in marine mammal biomass and an increase in phytoplankton biomass.

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of the marine mammal shunt?

  1. Increased carbon export to the deep ocean

  2. Enhanced nutrient recycling

  3. Stimulation of phytoplankton growth

  4. Increased marine mammal abundance


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The marine mammal shunt can have various consequences, including increased carbon export to the deep ocean, enhanced nutrient recycling, and stimulation of phytoplankton growth. However, it generally does not lead to increased marine mammal abundance.

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