Question

Suppose virus A has a viral genome of 19,000 bp, and 10,000,000,000 viruses are replicated in an infected individual in a single day. Assume that a single mutation at a particular location in the virus A genome is needed for virus A to develop antiviral drug resistance to ledipasvir. The mutation can be a transition or transversion mutation. If RNA polymerase introduces an error in 1 of every 10,000 bases synthesized, how long will it take for virus A to overcome ledipasvir therapy and develop resistance? Round your answer up to a whole number of days.

Answer 1

Answer:

1 day.

Explanation:

From the given information:

The rate of mutation induced by RNA polymerase is:

$\implies \dfrac{1}{10000}= 0.0001$

Since the genome comprise of 19000 bp;

To complete a single replication, the viral cycle induce: $= \dfrac{19000}{1000}$

$= 1.9 \ mutation \\ \\ \simeq 2 \ mutation$

However, in a single day; 10,000,000,000 viruses are reported to be replicated.

Hence, if a virus has 2 mutations; Then 10,000,000,000 virus will have:

$= \dfrac{10,000,000,000}{2} \\ \\ = \text{5000000000 \ mutations \ in \ a \ half \ day which is half} \\ \\ \text{ the given no of the replicated virus}$

SO, to round this up to whole number, it will take 1 day (s) to overcome the therapy.