Multiple Choice
Which term refers to the portion of a virus that contains genetic material unique to that specific virus?
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1. Introduction to Microbiology
Acellular Infectious Agents: Viruses, Viroids & Prions
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the genetic material found in most viroids?
A
Double-stranded DNA
B
Single-stranded DNA
C
Single-stranded RNA
D
Double-stranded RNA
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand what viroids are: Viroids are small infectious agents that primarily affect plants and are unique because they consist solely of genetic material without a protein coat.
Recall the type of genetic material in viroids: Unlike viruses, viroids do not contain DNA; instead, their genetic material is composed of RNA.
Identify the strand type of RNA in viroids: Viroids typically have single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) as their genetic material, which is distinct from double-stranded RNA or DNA forms.
Compare the options given: Double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA are not characteristic of viroids, and double-stranded RNA is more typical of some viruses, not viroids.
Conclude that the best description of the genetic material in most viroids is single-stranded RNA, based on their unique structure and composition.
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