What are the differences between DNA viruses and RNA viruses?

Question

Accepted Answer

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

- Two types: double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA viruses 
- Double stranded DNA viruses are more common

- Two types: double-stranded RNA and single-stranded RNA
- Single-stranded RNA viruses are more common

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

Shows error-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

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	Two types: double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA viruses Double stranded DNA viruses are more common	Two types: double-stranded RNA and single-stranded RNA Single-stranded RNA viruses are more common
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

Basis of differentiation

DNA viruses

RNA viruses

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