Question

Plant viruses have as their genetic material.

• A. RNA and DNA
• B. RNA or DNA
• C. Only RNA
• D. Only DNA

Answer 1

The correct option is B RNA or DNA

Plant viruses can have DNA or RNA as the genetic material but never both.

• The DNA/RNA could be double stranded or single stranded.
• Gemini virus has single stranded DNA genome.
• Tobacco mosaic virus has a single stranded RNA genome. Some reoviruses affecting plants, collectively called phytoreovirus have double stranded RNA as their genetic material.
• Double stranded DNA is rarely seen in viruses affecting angiosperms. They are mostly seen in algal viruses.