Double-stranded DNA viruses
A) have only a few genes, including one that allows them to make mRNA from their genome.
B) are responsible for causing plant diseases and are referred to as mosaic viruses.
C) regenerate themselves using reverse transcription.
D) are polyphyletic, and some have more than a million base pairs.
E) have distinct lipids in their plasma membranes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Double-stranded DNA viruses can be quite large and have genomes with over a million base pairs. They are also diverse and do not form a monophyletic group.

Answer: A
 Double-stranded DNA viruses generally have only a few genes and rely on host machinery to replicate and transcribe their genome. They typically encode a polymerase enzyme that can convert their DNA into mRNA for protein synthesis.

Answer: B, E
 This statement is incorrect as double-stranded DNA viruses are not responsible for plant diseases. However, some viruses that infect plants, such as mosaic viruses, have a double-stranded RNA genome. Double-stranded DNA viruses do not have distinct lipids in their membranes.

Double-Stranded DNA Viruses