What are the two main classes of viruses?

What are the two main classes of viruses?

• A. Enveloped and non-enveloped
• B. DNA and RNA viruses
• C. Positive and negative-sense RNA
• D. Bacteria and fungi

Answer: (B)

The main distinction being tested is the type of genome a virus carries: DNA viruses versus RNA viruses. This fundamental split determines how the virus replicates and how it’s studied, and it’s the broad way virology is typically organized. Enveloped versus non-enveloped describes a structural feature, not the primary division. Positive- and negative-sense RNA describe specifics within RNA viruses, not the overarching genome-based classification. Bacteria and fungi are not viruses at all. So DNA viruses and RNA viruses best capture the essential separation.

The main distinction being tested is the type of genome a virus carries: DNA viruses versus RNA viruses. This fundamental split determines how the virus replicates and how it’s studied, and it’s the broad way virology is typically organized. Enveloped versus non-enveloped describes a structural feature, not the primary division. Positive- and negative-sense RNA describe specifics within RNA viruses, not the overarching genome-based classification. Bacteria and fungi are not viruses at all. So DNA viruses and RNA viruses best capture the essential separation.