Classification of Viruses
The study of virus is known as virology.
Viruses can be classified primarily on their phenotypic characteristics, core
content, chemical composition, capsid structure, size, shape, modes of
replication and other viral genome structures.
The Baltimore classification is the most commonly used for studying the system
of virus classification. This system was developed by an American biologist
David Baltimore in the 1970s, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize.
The below virus information describes the classification of viruses based on
their different criteria.
Classification based on the presence of nucleic acid
DNA virus
The virus, having DNA as its genetic material. There are two different types of
DNA virus
Single-stranded (ss) DNA virus: e.g. Parvovirus.
Double-stranded (ds) DNA virus: e.g. Herpes virus.
RNA virus
The virus, having RNA as its genetic material. There are two different types of
RNA virus
Double-stranded (ds) RNA virus: e.g. Reovirus
Single-stranded (ss) RNA virus. It is further classified into two Positive sense
RNA (+RNA) and negative sense RNA (-RNA). Poliovirus, Hepatitis A, Rabies
virus, Influenza virus are examples of single-stranded RNA virus.
Classification based on the structure or symmetry
Viruses come in different shapes, from basic helical and icosahedral shapes to
more intricate ones. The classification based on different shapes and symmetry
of viruses are as follows:
1. Complex virus. E.g Poxvirus
2. Radial symmetry virus. E.g.Bacteriophage
3. Cubical or icosahedral symmetry shaped virus. E.g. Reovirus
4. Rod or Spiral shaped or helical symmetry virus. E.g. Paramyxovirus
Classification based on the replication properties and site of replication
Here, viruses invade into the host cell, where it replicates and assembly within
the cell organelles.
1. Replication within the cytoplasm of the host cell.
E.g. All RNA viruses except the Influenza virus.
2. Replication within the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the host cell.
E.g. Influenza virus, Poxvirus, etc.
3. Replication within the nucleus of the host cell.
All DNA viruses except Pox virus.
Classification based on the host range
Based on the type of host, there are four different types of viruses:
Animal viruses
These viruses infect by invading the cells of animals, including humans.
Prominent examples of animal viruses include the influenza virus, mumps virus,
rabies virus, poliovirus,etc.
Plant viruses
These viruses infect plants by invading the plant cells. Replication of plant
viruses is obligate and does not happen without a host. Well-known examples of
plant virus include the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), beet yellow virus, and
cauliflower mosaic virus, etc.
Bacteriophage
The virus which infects bacterial cells is known as bacteriophage. There are
many varieties of bacteriophages, such as DNA virus, MV-11, RNA virus.
Insect virus
The virus which infects insects is known as Insect virus, also called the viral
pathogen of insects. These viruses are considered as a powerful biocontrol
agent in the landscape of modern agriculture. Ascovirus and Entomopox virus,
are best examples for insect virus.
* Biological control agents are composed of a wide range of organisms from
vertebrates, insects, mites, plants, fungi, bacteria and viruses. Biological control
programs have been successfully used to control weeds, plant pathogens,
invertebrate, and vertebrate pests .
Classification based on the mode of transmission
1. Airborne infections – Transmission of the virus through the air into the
respiratory tract. E.g. Swine flu.
2. Faecal Oral route – Transmission of the virus through the contaminated
water or food.
E.g. Hepatitis A virus, Poliovirus.
3. Sexually transmitted diseases – Transmission of the virus through sexual
contacts with the infected person. E.g. Retrovirus, human papillomavirus,
etc.
4. Transfusion-transmitted infections- Transmission of the virus through the
blood transfusion.
E.g. Hepatitis B virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, etc.
Economic Importance of Virus
Viruses are used in biotechnology research because they share the properties of
living and non-living species. The viruses can be both helpful and harmful.
Bacteriophage can be used to preserve water since it can eliminate germs and
maintain the freshness of the liquid.
Pox, polio, mumps, jaundice, and other diseases can be controlled by
injecting dead viruses into people as vaccines, which is how antidotes and
vaccines are made.
A specific virus can control some insects and animals that are dangerous
to people.
Disease management: The T2 bacteriophage virus protects from
dysentery by killing dangerous bacteria, such as E-coli. Because viruses
can specifically target cells and DNA, they are used in virotherapy to
treat various disorders. It might play an essential role in gene therapy and
cancer treatment.
The most familiar living model utilised in laboratories is the virus. In
genetics research, viruses are primarily used. It is an essential topic of
discussion in genetic engineering.
Due to the virus’s combination of living and non-living traits, it is
necessary to understand the evolutionary tendency and the mechanism by
which living entities are created.
Viruses are an example of an organic nanoparticle in nanotechnology.
They have been utilised as a model for arranging materials on the
nanoscale due to their shape, size, and structures.
*Nanotechnology is a field of science and engineering that focuses on the design and
manufacture of extremely small devices and structures.
One million viruses can be found in a spoonful of seawater, aquatic
ecosystems’ most abundant natural component. A virus can boost the
number of photosynthesis in oceans and reduce the quantity of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere by about three gigatones of carbon per year.
CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK
Q1.Write a note on economic importance of viruses.
Q2.Draw a neat and well labelled diagram of gene
therapy.
Q3.Classify viruses on the basis of :
1)Type of nucleic acid
2)Structure/symmetry
3)Site of replication
4)Host
5)Mode of transmission.
