Wisconsin Esthetics State Board Practice Test

How do viruses replicate?

1. Independently in warm environments

2. Only within living host cells

3. Asexually in nutrient-rich mediums

4. By transforming into bacterial cells

The correct answer is: Only within living host cells

Viruses replicate exclusively within living host cells. They cannot carry out metabolic processes or reproduce on their own because they lack the cellular machinery necessary for these functions. Instead, viruses attach to a host cell and inject their genetic material into it. Once inside, they hijack the host's cellular machinery to produce new viral particles. This process often leads to the destruction of the host cell as the new viruses exit to infect additional cells. The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of viral replication. For instance, viruses do not replicate independently, as they require a host for reproduction. Additionally, they do not reproduce asexually or in nutrient-rich mediums, and they do not transform into bacterial cells. Therefore, the correct response highlights the dependency of viruses on living organisms for replication.