UPSC CSE Prelims 2021

Correct Option (b)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• Adenoviruses are characterized by double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes.
• Retroviruses, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), possess single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) genomes. They utilize reverse transcriptase to synthesize a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) intermediate, which is then integrated into the host genome during their replication cycle.
• Therefore, the description of genome types for both viruses in statement 1 is inaccurate.

Statement 2 is correct.

• Adenoviruses are a group of viruses known to cause various illnesses, including respiratory infections such as the common cold.
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which belongs to the retrovirus family.

Incorrect Options

• Option (a) is incorrect because statement 1 contains factual inaccuracies regarding the genome types of adenoviruses and retroviruses.
• Option (c) is incorrect because although statement 2 is correct, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Option (d) is incorrect because statement 2 is factually correct, rendering the option "Neither 1 nor 2" invalid.