RNA virus
RNA virus
RNA virus (pronounced: /ɑːrɛnˈeɪ ˈvaɪrəs/) is a type of virus that has RNA (Ribonucleic acid) as its genetic material. This includes viruses from both Group III: dsRNA viruses and Group IV: ((+)ssRNA viruses and Group V: ((-)ssRNA viruses of the Baltimore classification system.
Etymology
The term "RNA virus" is derived from the initialism for Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and the Latin virus, which means poison or venom.
Characteristics
RNA viruses are unique in that their genetic material, in contrast to the more stable DNA, changes more frequently due to the lack of replication error-checking mechanisms. This high mutation rate allows RNA viruses to adapt quickly to new host environments and evolve resistance to antiviral drugs.
Examples
Some examples of RNA viruses include the Influenza virus, HIV, Ebola virus, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related Terms
- Virus: A small infectious agent that can only replicate inside the living cells of an organism.
- RNA: A polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes.
- Baltimore classification: A system used to classify viruses into families, depending on their type of genome.
- Influenza virus: A type of RNA virus that causes influenza in birds and some mammals.
- HIV: A type of RNA virus that causes HIV infection and over time acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- Ebola virus: A type of RNA virus that causes Ebola virus disease in humans and nonhuman primates.
- SARS-CoV-2: A type of RNA virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on RNA virus
- Wikipedia's article - RNA virus
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