The Phage ϕX174 Can Tolerate Mutations in the Non-Structural Region

question 20

Multiple Choice

The phage ϕX174 can tolerate mutations in the non-structural region of its genome more easily than in the structural region of the genome.Which of the following explains why?

• A) Not all of the proteins coded in this region are packaged into the mature capsid.
• B) Single-stranded DNA is not as easily mutated as double-stranded DNA.
• C) Many of the non-structural proteins have more than one function.
• D) Some of the non-structural proteins are non-essential for virus replication.
• E) The presence of overlapping reading frames in this region of the genome.