Which of the Following is a Description of a Plaque

Question

Which of the following is a description of a plaque?
A) A viral particle as seen by electron microscopy.
B) A region of dead cells in a monolayer of infected cells.
C) A skin lesion caused by a virus infection in an animal.
D) A button of red blood cells seen in a hemagglutination assay.
E) A region of crystallized virus particles in an infected cell.

Accepted Answer

A plaque is a clear area in a monolayer of infected cells where the cells have died due to the infection. The virus has multiplied and spread to neighboring cells, causing cell death and leaving a visible clearing, or plaque. A plaque assay is a common method used to quantify the number of infectious viral particles in a sample. A, C, D, and E are not descriptions of a plaque.