American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnologist Practice Test

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Study for the ASCP Histotechnologist Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

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What are protein-coated genes that depend on living cells for energy and duplication called?

Bacteria
Viruses
Prions
Fungi

The correct answer is: Viruses

The correct choice identifies viruses as protein-coated entities that rely on living cells for their replication and energy needs. Viruses consist of a core of genetic material, which can be RNA or DNA, surrounded by a protein coat. They do not possess the cellular machinery necessary for energy production or duplication; thus, they must invade host cells to replicate. Once inside a host cell, viruses hijack the cellular machinery to produce new viral particles. In contrast, bacteria are unicellular organisms that have their own metabolic and reproductive systems and can generate energy independently. Prions are misfolded proteins that cause disease, but they do not contain genetic material and do not replicate in the manner typical of viruses. Fungi, on the other hand, are eukaryotic organisms that can live independently and do not require living cells to replicate, unlike viruses. This distinction highlights why viruses are uniquely classified as requiring a living host for their energy and replication processes.