Question

A fatal disease results from an infection from a virus, which can cause a multitude of health problems in newborns. What conclusions can you reach from a viral nucleic acid analysis that reveals the presence of Adenine, uracil, cytosine and guanine? Is the genetic material DNA or RNA?

Answer 1

The presence of Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, and Guanine in the viral nucleic acid analysis indicates that the virus's genetic material is RNA, as Uracil is specific to RNA.

Step-by-step explanation:

From the viral nucleic acid analysis revealing the presence of Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, and Guanine, we can conclude that the genetic material of the virus is RNA, not DNA. In the nucleic acids of all known life forms, RNA contains Uracil instead of Thymine, which is present in DNA, alongside Adenine, Cytosine, and Guanine. Since Uracil was found in the analysis, the nucleic acid in question must be RNA. In contrast to DNA which is typically double-stranded, RNA molecules may be single-stranded and can act as genetic material for various viruses, leading to multiple health issues in humans. Viruses with RNA as their genetic material are known as RNA viruses and include human diseases such as influenza, hepatitis C, measles, rabies, and the retrovirus HIV.