Question
Write a note on David Baltimore’s classification of viruses.

Answer

David Baltimore (1971) classification is based on mechanism of RNA production, the nature of the genome (single stranded -ss or double stranded – ds ), RNA or DNA, the use of reverse transcriptase (RT), ss RNA may be (+) sense or (-) antisense. Viruses are classified into seven classes.

Table 1.2: Different Classes of viruses

Class

Example

Class 1 - Viruses with dsDNA

Class 2 -Viruses with (+) sense ssDNA

Class 3-Viruses with dsRNA

Class 4 -Viruses with (+) sense ssRNA

Class 5 - Viruses with (-) antisense ssRNA

Class 6 - Viruses with (+) sense ss RNA -RT that replicate with DNA intermediate in life cycle

Class 7 - Viruses with ds DNA - RT that replicate with RNA intermediate in life cycle

Adenoviruses

Parvo viruses

Reo viruses

Toga viruses

Rhabdo viruses

Retro viruses

Hepadna

viruses

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free