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🔬 Biology  ·  Biological Classification  ·  NEET

Plant viruses are typically composed of which type of nucleic acid?

Answer: Single-stranded RNA.

  • A Single-stranded RNA
  • B Double-stranded DNA mainly
  • C Double-stranded RNA mainly
  • D Usually both DNA and RNA

Correct answer: A. Single-stranded RNA

Explanation: Most viruses infecting plants have single-stranded RNA as genetic material. Animal viruses may have single or double-stranded RNA, or double-stranded DNA.

Whittaker's Five KingdomsMoneraprokaryotesProtistaunicell. eukaryotesFungichitin wallPlantaecellulose wallAnimaliano wallNOT in any kingdom: Viruses (non-cellular), Viroids (RNA, no coat), Lichens (alga+fungus symbiosis)Classification criteria: cell structure, nutrition mode, body organisation, reproduction, phylogeny

Whittaker's five-kingdom system (1969) groups all cellular life by cell structure and nutrition; viruses, viroids, and lichens fall outside this system entirely since they aren't independently classifiable as one of the five.

Concept context

Whittaker's five kingdom system covering Monera, Protista, Fungi, plus viruses, viroids, and lichens. A foundational NEET chapter on how living organisms are grouped.

Read the full Biological Classification notes →