Question

Influenza viruses are RNA viruses and belong to which family:

• A. Orthomyxoviridae
• B. Papoviridae
• C. Retroviridae
• D. Parvoviridae

Hint:

Influenza viruses are RNA viruses classified under the Orthomyxoviridae family, characterized by a segmented RNA genome and high mutation rates.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Viral families are classified mainly by the type of genome they carry: DNA or RNA, single stranded or double stranded, segmented or not. Influenza needs to be placed in the family matching its genome type.

Step 2: Key Fact:
Influenza has a segmented, negative sense, single stranded RNA genome split into 7 or 8 separate pieces. This segmentation is the hallmark of the family Orthomyxoviridae and is also what allows influenza strains to swap gene segments and create new subtypes.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Papoviridae and Parvoviridae both carry DNA genomes, so they cannot hold an RNA virus.
Retroviridae carries RNA but only viruses that use reverse transcriptase to make a DNA copy, which influenza does not do.
Influenza replicates its RNA directly using its own RNA polymerase, a feature specific to Orthomyxoviridae.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Influenza viruses belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae.