Which virus has a nonenveloped RNA genome?

Which virus has a nonenveloped RNA genome?

• A. Hepatitis A
• B. Influenza
• C. CMV
• D. Herpes simplex

Answer: (A)

Nonenveloped RNA viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded genome are typically picornaviruses, which have no lipid envelope and a sturdy icosahedral capsid. Hepatitis A fits this pattern: it is a nonenveloped virus with a positive-sense RNA genome, belonging to the picornavirus family. This combination distinguishes it from enveloped RNA viruses like influenza, which has a lipid envelope and a negative-sense, segmented RNA genome, and from enveloped DNA viruses like CMV and Herpes simplex, which carry double-stranded DNA genomes inside a lipid envelope. Thus, Hepatitis A is the nonenveloped RNA genome virus.

Nonenveloped RNA viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded genome are typically picornaviruses, which have no lipid envelope and a sturdy icosahedral capsid. Hepatitis A fits this pattern: it is a nonenveloped virus with a positive-sense RNA genome, belonging to the picornavirus family. This combination distinguishes it from enveloped RNA viruses like influenza, which has a lipid envelope and a negative-sense, segmented RNA genome, and from enveloped DNA viruses like CMV and Herpes simplex, which carry double-stranded DNA genomes inside a lipid envelope. Thus, Hepatitis A is the nonenveloped RNA genome virus.