The term 'ACE2' is talked about in the context of
Contents9
- Agenes introduced in the genetically modified plants
- Bdevelopment of India's own satellite navigation system
- Cradio collars for wildlife tracking
- Dspread of viral diseases
Show answer
Answer: (D) spread of viral diseases
ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) is an enzyme on the surface of human cells that became widely discussed during COVID-19.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus's spike protein binds to ACE2 receptors to enter cells, fuse with the cell surface, and inject its RNA.
The earlier SARS-CoV also used ACE2.
ACE2 is found in cells of the lungs, heart, kidneys, and intestines, explaining why COVID-19 affects multiple organs.
Answer: (d) — spread of viral diseases.
ACE2 is the cell receptor that SARS-CoV-2 uses to enter human cells, making it central to understanding COVID-19 transmission and pathology.
COVID-19 dominated global discourse in 2020-21, making ACE2 a frequently discussed term in news and scientific literature during this exam cycle.
The question tests whether students can connect a technical biochemical term to its real-world disease context rather than getting distracted by unrelated technology options.
ACE2 Receptor & Viral Entry
Science And Technology ACE2
ACE2 Receptor: How Viruses Enter Human Cells
ACE2 = Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2, a receptor on human cell surfaces
SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV both use ACE2 to enter cells
Found in lungs, heart, kidneys, intestines — explains multi-organ COVID-19 effects
Virus spike protein binds to ACE2, then injects RNA into cell
What is ACE2?
ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2) is a protein receptor found on the surface of human cells. It became widely discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic because the SARS-CoV-2 virus uses ACE2 as its entry point into human cells.
Viral Entry Mechanism
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Virus Approach**
**SARS-CoV-2** virus approaches human cell with ACE2 receptors`"]
s2["`**Spike Binding**
Virus **spike protein** binds to **ACE2 receptor** on cell surface`"]
s3["`**Membrane Fusion**
Virus fuses with cell membrane after successful binding`"]
s4["`**RNA Injection**
Virus injects its **RNA** into the cell to begin replication`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4ACE2 Distribution in Body
Organ System | ACE2 Presence | COVID-19 Impact |
|---|---|---|
Lungs | High | Respiratory symptoms, pneumonia |
Heart | Moderate | Cardiac complications, myocarditis |
Kidneys | High | Acute kidney injury |
Intestines | High | Gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhea |
Related Viruses Using ACE2
SARS-CoV (2003 SARS outbreak) also used ACE2 receptors for cell entry
MERS-CoV uses a different receptor (DPP4), not ACE2
ACE2 binding affinity varies between virus strains, affecting transmission rates
Don't confuse ACE2 with ACE1 — ACE2 is the viral receptor, ACE1 is a different enzyme
Not all coronaviruses use ACE2 — MERS uses DPP4 receptor instead
ACE2 is not just in lungs — multi-organ presence explains diverse COVID symptoms
COVID-19 & SARS Coronaviruses
Science And Technology viral diseases spread of viral diseases
Major Coronaviruses: COVID-19, SARS & MERS Comparison
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, declared pandemic in 2020
SARS (2003) and COVID-19 both use ACE2 receptors
MERS (2012) uses different receptor, higher mortality but lower transmission
Major Coronavirus Outbreaks
Disease | Virus | Year | Receptor Used | Mortality Rate | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COVID-19 | SARS-CoV-2 | 2020-ongoing | ACE2 | ~1-3% | High human-to-human |
SARS | SARS-CoV | 2003 | ACE2 | ~10% | Limited human-to-human |
MERS | MERS-CoV | 2012-ongoing | DPP4 | ~35% | Limited human-to-human |
Key Characteristics
Zoonotic origin: All three likely originated in bats before jumping to humans
Respiratory focus: Primary symptoms involve lungs, but multi-organ effects possible
Airborne transmission: Spread through respiratory droplets and aerosols
Incubation period: Typically 2-14 days from exposure to symptom onset
UPSC Connection
This question tests knowledge of ACE2's role in viral diseases, specifically COVID-19. The correct answer eliminates three unrelated distractors (genetic modification, satellite navigation, wildlife tracking) that have no connection to ACE2.
ACE2 ≠ satellite technology — completely different fields, option B is a distractor
Don't link ACE2 to genetic modification — it's a natural human receptor, not GM technology
Wildlife tracking uses GPS collars — no connection to ACE2 enzyme