Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which term refers to a compound that inhibits the growth of viruses?

1. Virucidal

2. Virostatic

3. Bacteriocidal

4. Bacteriostatic

The correct answer is: Virostatic

The term that refers to a compound specifically designed to inhibit the growth of viruses is "virostatic." Virostatic agents target the replication processes of viruses, effectively limiting their ability to reproduce and spread within a host organism. This is a critical function in controlling viral infections, as these compounds may not necessarily kill the virus outright but rather prevent it from multiplying, which helps the immune system to combat the infection more effectively. In contrast, "virucidal" refers to compounds that do actively kill viruses rather than just inhibiting their growth. The other terms, "bacteriocidal" and "bacteriostatic," pertain specifically to bacteria. Bacteriocidal agents kill bacteria outright, while bacteriostatic agents inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction. Therefore, in the context of inhibiting viral growth, "virostatic" is the most appropriate and accurate term.