The Baltimore classification scheme categorizes viruses by which characteristic?

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Multiple Choice

The Baltimore classification scheme categorizes viruses by which characteristic?

Explanation:
The Baltimore classification groups viruses by the type of genome they have and how that genome is used to make mRNA and replicate. It focuses on whether the genome is DNA or RNA, and whether it is single- or double-stranded, plus the way transcription and replication occur. This is why the same framework breaks viruses into classes like double‑stranded DNA, single‑stranded DNA, double‑stranded RNA, positive-sense single‑stranded RNA, negative-sense single‑stranded RNA, RNA genomes that reverse transcribe, and DNA genomes that reverse transcribe. It isn’t about whether something is a virus versus a bacterium or prion, or about shape or host, but about the genome type and how the genome leads to protein production.

The Baltimore classification groups viruses by the type of genome they have and how that genome is used to make mRNA and replicate. It focuses on whether the genome is DNA or RNA, and whether it is single- or double-stranded, plus the way transcription and replication occur. This is why the same framework breaks viruses into classes like double‑stranded DNA, single‑stranded DNA, double‑stranded RNA, positive-sense single‑stranded RNA, negative-sense single‑stranded RNA, RNA genomes that reverse transcribe, and DNA genomes that reverse transcribe. It isn’t about whether something is a virus versus a bacterium or prion, or about shape or host, but about the genome type and how the genome leads to protein production.

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