In a newly discovered virus you might find:

Explanation

In viruses, the type of genetic material-either RNA or DNA-is a key feature that determines their classification. A newly discovered virus will carry only one type of nucleic acid, never both, which serves as the template for producing viral proteins and replicating the viral genome. RNA viruses use RNA as their genetic material, while DNA viruses use DNA. This distinction is fundamental because it influences the virus's replication strategy, mutation rate, and interaction with the host cell. For example, RNA viruses often replicate in the cytoplasm and may have higher mutation rates, whereas DNA viruses usually replicate in the nucleus and are more stable. Therefore, identifying whether a virus contains RNA or DNA is one of the first steps in understanding its biology and classifying it.