Consider the following : 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?
- (a) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (a)
• Bacteria (1) and fungi (2) are cellular organisms with their own metabolism, so they grow on artificial media such as nutrient agar, broth or Sabouraud agar.
• Viruses (3) are obligate intracellular parasites lacking ribosomes and metabolic machinery; they can multiply only inside living host cells (cell cultures, embryonated eggs or animals), never in a synthetic medium.
• This is why vaccine viruses are grown in Vero cells or chicken eggs.
• Hence 1 and 2 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Viruses cannot grow in synthetic media.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Viruses need living cells; fungi can be cultured.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Viruses cannot be cultured in artificial media.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.