UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2021

Consider the following statements: 1. Adenoviruses have single-stranded DNA genomes whereas retroviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes. 2. Common cold is sometimes caused by an adenovirus whereas AIDS is caused by a retrovirus. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

Correct Answer

2 only

Explanation

Adenoviruses have double-stranded DNA genomes, while retroviruses such as HIV have single-stranded RNA genomes, so statement 1 is wrong. Some common colds are caused by adenoviruses and AIDS is caused by the retrovirus HIV, so statement 2 is correct.

Topics: adenoviruses and retroviruses, biology, science & technology, virology