Question

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is very common in the environment and is frequently isolated from tobacco products. Select the correct statement regarding health implication.

• A. TMV is a caused of lung cancer.
• B. TMV is associated with immune suppression.
• C. TMV is associated with skin tumors.
• D. There are no health implications so TMV cannot infect human cells.
• E. TMV is associated with genetic abnormalities within any cell exposed to secondhand smoke.

Answer 1

The correct option is D There are no health implications so TMV cannot infect human cells.

Tobacco mosaic virus is an RNA-containing virus that infect plants only such as tobacco and other plants of Solanaceae family and causes mosaic-like mottling and discoloration on the leaves. It is transmitted from infected plant to healthy plants by direct contact. It does not affect human cells because they do not replicate in human or other animal cells due to lack of specific receptor for recognition and entry into the host cells. Thus, the correct answer is option D.