Viruses - Economic and Environmental importance of viruses

Question 1

What are the 2 ways which viruses are environmentally important?

Answer 1

• viruses causes diseases and death to its hosts so it helps to keep a healthy population size.
• used as control agents in the management of certain pests of plants and animals.

Question 2

How are viruses important in gene therapy?

Answer 2

a virus can be reprogrammed with a healthy gene from humans so that when it is inserted into the body it’ll find unhealthy tissue and transfer that good gene into the DNA of these cells.

Question 3

example of disease where gene therapy can be used?

Answer 3

cystic fibrosis

Question 4

How are viruses important for the making of vaccines?

Answer 4

attenuated viruses are used to make vaccines, these vaccines will restore the immune system and make antibodies that will be used to fight off viral infections.

Question 5

what are attenuated viruses?

Answer 5

weakened form of a virus