Answer: Through ingestion of contaminated plant material, with the virus replicating in the nucleus forming polyhedral inclusion bodies that cause liquefaction of the insect.
- A Through direct penetration of the insect skin surface, causing rapid and explosive lysis of host cells over time in standard practice under most conditions encountered
- B Through ingestion of contaminated plant material, with the virus replicating in the nucleus forming polyhedral inclusion bodies that cause liquefaction of the insect
- C Through entry via the respiratory tract of the insect, leading to progressive damage of the central nervous system over time as frequently observed in practice
- D Through transovarial infection of the developing egg, causing mainly relatively minor developmental defects in many documented cases according to conventional understanding
Correct answer: B. Through ingestion of contaminated plant material, with the virus replicating in the nucleus forming polyhedral inclusion bodies that cause liquefaction of the insect
Explanation: Nucleopolyhedroviruses infect insects when larvae ingest foliage contaminated with polyhedral inclusion bodies. The virus replicates in cell nuclei, eventually causing host cell and ultimately whole-larva liquefaction (the infected caterpillar literally melts), releasing millions of viral particles.
Sewage passes through physical removal (primary), then aerobic biological treatment where microbes form flocs that consume organic matter (secondary); the settled activated sludge is then digested anaerobically to produce biogas - a deliberate switch from aerobic to anaerobic conditions between stages.
Concept context
Microorganisms in food, medicine, sewage treatment, biocontrol, and biofertilizers