Assume you have isolated an unknown virus. This virus has a single, positive sense strand of RNA, and possesses an envelope. To which group does it most likely belong?
A) togavirus
B) herpesvirus
C) picornavirus
D) papovavirus
E) retrovirus

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of a single positive sense strand of RNA and an envelope suggests that the virus belongs to the Togavirus family, which includes several important human pathogens such as rubella virus and the alphaviruses (e.g. Chikungunya virus and Ross River virus). The other options listed do not fit this description – herpesviruses have a double-stranded DNA genome, picornaviruses have a positive sense RNA genome without an envelope, papovaviruses have a double-stranded DNA genome without an envelope, and retroviruses have a single positive sense RNA genome and typically possess an envelope but are characterized by their reverse transcriptase activity.

Assume You Have Isolated an Unknown Virus