Dictionary > RNA virus

RNA virus

Definition
noun
A virus containing RNA as its genetic material. The RNA may be single stranded or double stranded. Examples of RNA viruses include Reoviruses, Picornaviruses, Togaviruses, Orthomyxoviruses, Rhabdoviruses, etc.
Supplement
The RNA viruses may be a double stranded (dsRNA) or single stranded (ssRNA) based on the type of their RNA, and they can be further grouped into negative sense or positive sense according to the sense of polarity of their RNA.
Most of them replicate in the cytoplasm. They don’t require as much polymerases of their host to replicate as DNA viruses do. Examples of human diseases caused by RNA viruses are SARS, influenza, hepatitis C, etc.
Synonym: ribovirus
Compare: DNA virus, ssRNA-RT virus.
Related terms:

Last updated on July 23rd, 2021

You will also like...

Salmon jumping upstream in the river
Lotic Communities & Animals

A running water environment offers numerous microhabitats for many types of animals. Similar to plants, animals in lotic..

vitamins
A Balanced Vitamin Diet – Vitamins A – K

A balanced diet is essential to a healthy organism. Insufficiency or too much of a particular element or compound, such ..

Adaptation Tutorial
Adaptation Tutorial

Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes

Learn about the general structure of a eukaryotic gene, the transcription factors, and post-transcriptional regulation....

Bryophytes
Bryophytes

Bryophytes (nonvascular plants) are a plant group characterized by lacking vascular tissues. They include the mosses, th..

Electromagnetic spectrum of a brain
Sleep and Dreams – Neurology

While learning and intelligence are associated with the functions of a conscious mind, sleep and dreams are activities o..