Negative sense nucleic acid genome is found in -a) Poliovirusb) Rabiesc) Measlesd) Picornaviruse) Influenzae
**Core Concept**
Negative sense nucleic acid genome refers to a type of viral genome that is single-stranded and has a complementary relationship between the viral genome and the messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. This type of genome is characteristic of certain viral families, such as the Orthomyxoviridae (influenza viruses) and the Paramyxoviridae (measles and mumps viruses).
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is found in the Influenza virus, which has a negative sense single-stranded RNA genome. When the Influenza virus infects a host cell, its genome is transcribed into a complementary positive sense RNA, which then serves as the template for protein synthesis. This process is essential for the replication and transmission of the virus. The Influenza virus genome is also segmented, meaning it is composed of multiple pieces of RNA that are packaged together within the viral particle.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Poliovirus has a positive sense single-stranded RNA genome, which is different from the negative sense genome found in the Influenza virus.
**Option B:** Rabies virus also has a negative sense single-stranded RNA genome, but it belongs to a different viral family (Lyssavirus) and is not the correct answer in this context.
**Option C:** Measles virus has a negative sense single-stranded RNA genome, but it is not the correct answer since the question is asking for a single option.
**Option D:** Picornavirus is a family of positive sense single-stranded RNA viruses, which includes Poliovirus and other related viruses.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The distinction between positive and negative sense viral genomes is crucial for understanding the replication and transmission of viruses. Positive sense viruses can replicate directly in the cytoplasm of host cells, whereas negative sense viruses require a complementary RNA transcript to initiate protein synthesis.
**Correct Answer:** E. Influenza