What is the nucleic acid type of Vesicular stomatitis virus?

What is the nucleic acid type of Vesicular stomatitis virus?

• A. DNA
• B. ssDNA
• C. dsDNA
• D. RNA

Answer: (D)

Vesicular stomatitis virus has an RNA genome, specifically a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. This means the genetic material is RNA, not DNA, and it is not double-stranded DNA or single-stranded DNA. Negative-sense RNA viruses carry their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe mRNA in the cytoplasm so the host ribosomes can translate it. That combination—RNA as the genome and the need for a viral polymerase to make mRNA—fits Vesicular stomatitis virus best.

Vesicular stomatitis virus has an RNA genome, specifically a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. This means the genetic material is RNA, not DNA, and it is not double-stranded DNA or single-stranded DNA. Negative-sense RNA viruses carry their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe mRNA in the cytoplasm so the host ribosomes can translate it. That combination—RNA as the genome and the need for a viral polymerase to make mRNA—fits Vesicular stomatitis virus best.