Samuel Amoakoh
22044730
Biochemistry of Viruses
Question 1 : Describe the Baltimore Classification of Viruses
David Baltimore grouped viruses into families, according to their viral mRNA
synthesis. Major groups of viruses are distinguished first by their nucleic acid
either DNA or RNA. DNA or RNA viruses can be single stranded or double
stranded. He classified them into seven (7) groups.
GROUP I - DOUBLE
STRANDED DNA (dsDNA)
Viruses contain double
stranded DNA as their
[Link] mRNA is
produced by transcription in
the same way as their cellular
[Link] include:
Herpes virus, Pox virus,
GROUP II - SINGLE
STRANDED DNA (ssDNA)
Viruses contain single
stranded DNA as their genome. They convert their single stranded genome into
a dsDNA intermediate before transcription to mRNA can occur. Example:
Parvoviruses
GROUP III - DOUBLE STRANDED RNA (dsRNA)
They contain dsRNA as their genome. The strands separate, and one of them is
used as a template for the generation of mRNA using the RNA polymerase
encoded by the virus. Example: Reoviruses
GROUP IV - POSITIVE SENSE SINGLE STRANDED RNA (+) ssRNA
These viruses have ssRNA genomes with a positive polarity. Positive polarity
means the genomic RNA can serve directly as mRNA for protein synthesis.
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediates are created to copy the genomic
RNA. Multiple full-length negative-polarity strands are formed to serve as
templates for producing more positive-polarity genomic RNA and shorter viral
mRNAs. Examples:Picornaviruses
GROUP V - NEGATIVE SENSE SINGLE STRANDED RNA (-) ssRNA
These viruses contain ssRNA genomes with a negative polarity. Negative
polarity means the sequence is complementary to the mRNA. The negative-
stranded genome must be converted into mRNA. Similar to Group IV, dsRNA
1
intermediates are used to make copies of the genome and produce mRNA. Full-
length positive RNA strands are made to act as templates for producing the
negative-stranded [Link]: Rhabdoviruses
GROUP VI- SINGLE STRANDED RNA-RT(ssRNA-RT)
These viruses have diploid (two copies) ssRNA [Link] must be
converted into double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) using the enzyme reverse
[Link] resulting dsDNA is transported to the host cell nucleus and
inserted into the host genome. Once integrated, mRNA is produced by the
transcription of the viral DNA that is now part of the host genome.
Examples: Retroviruses
GROUP VII - DOUBLE STRANDED DNA-RT(dsDNA-RT)
They have partially double-stranded DNA (often gapped or incomplete inside
the virus).And make ssRNA intermediate that act as mRNA , but are also
converted back to dsDNA genome by reverse transcriptase, for genome
replication. Example:Hepadnaviruses
Question 2: Why are non enveloped viruses less susceptible to UV
exposure compared to enveloped viruses?
Enveloped viruses are easier to destroy with UV light because their
outer layer (a lipid bilayer) gets damaged quickly.
Non-enveloped viruses don’t have this layer — they’re protected by
a tough protein shell, so they survive UV light better.