Among the choices mentioned below is a member of family Herpesviridae. It is an enveloped virus with an icosahedral nucleocapsid that contains a double-stranded linear DNA genome.
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the student's knowledge of the characteristics of viruses belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Herpesviruses are a large family of DNA viruses that are known to cause a variety of diseases in humans and animals. They are enveloped viruses with an icosahedral nucleocapsid that contains a double-stranded linear DNA genome.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is likely a member of the Herpesviridae family, which includes viruses such as Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). These viruses are characterized by their enveloped structure, icosahedral nucleocapsid, and double-stranded linear DNA genome. The presence of a double-stranded DNA genome is a key distinguishing feature of Herpesviruses, which can be differentiated from other types of DNA viruses such as Papovaviruses and Adenoviruses.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is likely incorrect because it may refer to a virus with a different type of genome, such as a single-stranded RNA virus or a DNA virus with a circular genome. For example, the norovirus is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes gastrointestinal disease.
* **Option B:** This option is likely incorrect because it may refer to a virus that is not a member of the Herpesviridae family. For example, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a member of the Retroviridae family and is characterized by its single-stranded RNA genome.
* **Option C:** This option is likely incorrect because it may refer to a virus that has a different type of nucleocapsid, such as a helical or tubular structure. For example, the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is a member of the Tobamovirus genus and has a helical nucleocapsid.
* **Option D:** This option is likely incorrect because it may refer to a virus that is not enveloped, such as the bacteriophage lambda. Envelope-free viruses are not members of the Herpesviridae family.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Herpesviruses are known to cause a variety of diseases in humans, including herpes simplex, chickenpox, and mononucleosis. These viruses can be transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals or through the air. The symptoms of Herpesvirus infections can range from mild skin lesions to life-threatening diseases, such as encephalitis.
**Correct Answer: C.**