DNA Virus

The virus that possesses DNA as a genetic material is called DNA virus. They are DNA dependent and they replicate using DNA polymerase. They are usually double stranded DNA but in some cases, they can either be single-stranded DNA.

Bacteriophages, cyanophages and most of the animal virus are examples of DNA virus.

Based on the type of host and genetic material. There are three types of virus.

1. Animal viruses –The viruses which infect and live inside the animal cell including humans are called animal viruses. They contain DNA or RNA as genetic material. Some examples of animal viruses are rabies virus, influenza virus, poliovirus, mumps virus, etc.
2. Plant viruses – The viruses which infect plants are called as the plant viruses. They contain RNA as a genetic material, which remains enclosed in the protein coat. Some examples of plant viruses are potato virus, tobacco mosaic virus, beet yellow virus, turnip yellow virus etc.
3. Bacteriophage – The viruses which invade and infects bacterial cells are called as the bacteriophage. They contain DNA as genetic material. There are varieties of bacteriophages. Usually, each kind of bacteriophage will attack only one species or only one strain of bacteria.