Finding drugs to treat viruses is far more challenging than finding drugs to treat bacteria.   A. Why the difference?        Ans: Viruses need a host cell to replicate and a bacteria needs food to continue to replicate.                                      B. What can anti-viral drugs target in order to bring a viral infection under control, or to prevent a viral infection in the first place?               Ans: To bring an infection under control you would want to inhibit protease so it could not break down the polypeptide protein chain down into new protein coats.  C. What can anti-viral drugs target to prevent a viral infection in the first place?             Ans: To prevent a viral infection in the first place you could take a medication that would alter the surface receptor, fill in the surface receptor or inhibits the viral surface protein all together.

Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Chapter24: Viruses And Subviral Agents
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 16TYU
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                                                                                                                                                                                     Finding drugs to treat viruses is far more challenging than finding drugs to treat bacteria.  
A. Why the difference?        Ans: Viruses need a host cell to replicate and a bacteria needs food to continue to replicate.                                     
B. What can anti-viral drugs target in order to bring a viral infection under control, or to prevent a viral infection in the first place?               Ans: To bring an infection under control you would want to inhibit protease so it could not break down the polypeptide protein chain down into new protein coats. 
C. What can anti-viral drugs target to prevent a viral infection in the first place?             Ans: To prevent a viral infection in the first place you could take a medication that would alter the surface receptor, fill in the surface receptor or inhibits the viral surface protein all together. 
D. Offer 2 examples of drugs used to control viral infections (specify virus) and how do they  work on different targets. Ans: Acyclovir for herpes simplex; Hepatitis C-Boceprevir protease inhibitor.

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