Question

Can viruses infect all species?

Answer 1

Virus

1. Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.
2. It requires a host cell for replication which causes disease in a wide range of living cells.
3. Viruses are crucial pathogens infecting livestock. Examples- foot and mouth disease and bluetongue.
4. Pets like cats, dogs, and horses are also infected by the virus. Example- rabies and canine parvovirus infections.
5. Birds are also infected by viruses and some of them are transmitted to humans. Example- bird flu or avian flu.
6. Tobacco mosaic virus is the best example of a plant virus that infects the tobacco plant causing colour change and dwarfing.
7. Viruses infect bacteria and are known as bacteriophages.
8. Bacteriophages attach to the bacteria cell and incorporate their genetic material into the host cell and the polymerase enzyme uses their RNA to make protein
9. These proteins act like virions and infect other living entities.