[Campbell Biology P.457] Based on the text, which of the following statements about recently... | Practice Question

Based on the text, which of the following statements about recently discovered large viruses is TRUE?

  • A: Mimivirus has a genome size smaller than that of the influenza virus.
  • B: Pandoravirus has a diameter of 1 µm and its genes are mostly related to cellular genes.
  • C: Pithovirus sibericum was discovered in permafrost and could infect amoeba after 30,000 years of freezing.
  • D: All large viruses, like Mimivirus, contain genes exclusively found in cellular genomes.

Explanation

Option C is directly supported by the text: 'A second virus, called Pithovirus sibericum... was discovered in permanently frozen soil in Siberia. This virus, once thawed, was able to infect an amoeba after being frozen for 30,000 years!'.