Question

Hereditary material in TMV is
A) dsDNA
B) ssDNA
C) ssRNA
D) dsRNA

Answer 1

Hint:Hereditary material is the genetic material possessed by a cell’s nucleus, cytoplasm or mitochondria which determines the structure and nature of the cell.

Complete answer:
Tobacco mosaic virus is a ribovirus belonging to genus Tobamovirus. It infects a large variety of plants especially the members belonging to Solanaceae family. Let us analyse the options to find the correct answer.
>Option A: dsDNA is the double stranded DNA which consists of two strands as their genetic material. Human eukaryotic cells consist of the double stranded DNA as their genetic material. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
>Option B: Single strand of DNA is found as a genetic material in Baltimore group. Many proviruses also contain linear ssDNA as their genetic material. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
>Option C: ssRNA is found in TMV as their genetic material using which they infect a wide range of plants. Therefore, this is the correct option.
TMV is a ribovirus and the genetic material of TMV was found out by a scientist named Frankel Conart. TMV has absolutely no DNA present in its genetic material.
>Option D: dsRNA is a signal for expression of gene silencing in many organisms. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C) ssRNA.

Note:The infection by TMV causes some characteristic patterns in the infected plants.
(i) These patterns include mosaics like mottling and discoloration of the leaves, harming the infected plants.
(ii) The infected plants also show features like necrosis, stunting, curling of leaves, and yellowing of plant tissues.
(iii) These symptoms are quite dependent on the age of the plants, the strain which has infected the plant and the environmental condition in which the plant lives.