[Campbell Biology P.454] If a drug were developed that specifically inhibits the viral RNA p... | Practice Question

If a drug were developed that specifically inhibits the viral RNA polymerase mentioned in Figure 19.8, which of the following processes would be most directly impaired?

  • A: The binding of viral glycoproteins to host cell receptors.
  • B: The synthesis of complementary RNA strands from the viral genome.
  • C: The assembly of new capsids around viral genome molecules.
  • D: The budding of new virions from the host cell membrane.

Explanation

Figure 19.8, Step 3 explicitly states: "The viral genome red functions as a template for synthesis of complementary RNA strands pink by a viral RNA polymerase." Therefore, inhibiting this enzyme would directly impair the synthesis of these complementary strands.