Question

Some viruses are RNA-based—ejecting their single-stranded RNA into the cell of a host. Let's say we are dealing with this type of virus. We also find it to be the type of RNA-based virus that has its RNA strand first converted into a complementary RNA strand using the host cell's RNA polymerase. Then this viral complementary RNA strand is used by the host cell's ribosomes to make new proteins.
If an RNA-based virus like the one we have here were to be considered a living thing, make an argument as to why the virus's RNA would be considered its primary source of heritable information. Also explain why this virus's primary source of heritable information would NOT be the DNA, RNA, or RNA polymerase of the infected cell.

Answer 1

The DNA, RNA or the RNA Polymerase of the infected cell would not be virus's primary source of heritable information because it has the ability to integrate into host cell and get itself replicated, also it causes infection so multiplication becomes necessary.

Explanation:

The virus has reverse transcriptase enzyme in them which works slightly different. It transcribes RNA into DNA and eventually gets integrated into the genome of the host. It is here the DNA in the host cell is transcribed and translated. Thus it is modelled to have RNA as genetic material.

When virus infects the living cell by a process called a lytic infection, it injects its genetic material into it to get replicated and increase its number and eventually bursts the infected cell. Since a virus causes infection, it has to increase in number so it uses its own genome to get replicated.