Basis of differentiation | DNA viruses | RNA viruses |
Definition | Are viruses whose genetic information is stored in the form of DNA | Are viruses whose genetic information is stored in the form of RNA |
Genome | Genetic material consists of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | Genetic material consists of ribonucleic acid (RNA) |
Double-stranded/Single-stranded DNA/ RNA | ||
Size of genome | Comparatively larger genome size | Comparatively smaller genome size |
Mutation rate | Lower mutation rate | Higher mutation rate |
Stability | More stable because of the lower mutation rate | Unstable because of the higher mutation rate. |
Assembly | Usually assembled in the nucleus | Assembled in the cytoplasm |
Replication | Replicated inside the host cell’s nucleus | First transcribed and then replicated in the cytoplasm |
Accuracy of replication | Shows accurate replication | Showserror-prone replication |
Procapsid | The procapsid contains the newly-synthesized viral DNA | Procapsid is not formed |
Protein Synthesis | Viral DNA is first transcribed into RNA, and mRNA is then translated into viral proteins | RNA viruses already contain RNA in the genome and can hence bypass transcription during protein synthesis |
Baltimore classification types | Included in groups Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅶ of the Baltimore classification | Included in groups Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ, and Ⅵ of the Baltimore classification |
Examples | Herpesviruses, Adenoviruses, Poxviruses, Hepadnaviruses, and Papillomaviruses | Retroviruses, Reoviruses, Picornaviruses, Togaviruses, and Orthomyxoviruses |
Diseases caused | Chickenpox, herpes, and smallpox | Influenza, the common cold, Aids, polio, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, SARS, measles, and West Nile fever |