Question

The causative agent of COVID-19 is

• A. RNA virus
• B. DNA virus
• C. IL-6
• D. Inflammatory agent

Hint:

SARS-CoV-2 = RNA virus.
Most "Emerging" viral diseases (Flu, Ebola, HIV, COVID) use RNA as their genetic material.
This is why they mutate so quickly—the "Copying Machine" (RdRp) lacks a proofreading mechanism.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the fundamental biological classification of the virus that causes the COVID-19 pandemic (SARS-CoV-2).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Identity of the Agent: The virus is named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2).

• Genomic Composition: Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that possess an RNA genome. Specifically, SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) virus.

• Structure: The RNA is encapsulated in a nucleocapsid and surrounded by a lipid envelope containing "spike" proteins that give it a crown-like (corona) appearance under a microscope.

• Replication: Because it is an RNA virus, it replicates in the cytoplasm of host cells using its own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). This makes it prone to mutations compared to most DNA viruses.

• Analysis of other options:
- DNA viruses (B) include Smallpox or Herpes; they have a different replication strategy.
- IL-6 (C) is a cytokine (a protein produced by the human immune system) that is often elevated during the disease, but it is not the "cause" of the infection.
- Inflammatory agent (D) is a general term for anything that causes swelling/fever, not a specific biological agent.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The causative agent of COVID-19 is a single-stranded RNA virus.