Virus question

[Ed Rybicki]

> From:          ajmst37 at vms.cis.pitt.edu
> Subject:       Virus question

> I was just wondering if anyone could tell me the 5 classes of viruses.
> I think there are five classes (if they are even called classes).  All

This begins to sound very much like one of those "Hi, pleas tell me 
all about virology!" questions, that are NOT encouraged in this 
group.  Without being nasty, a LITTLE reading in even an elementary 
microbiology textbook - or even some of the better undergraduate 
biology texts.


> I know is there is one called filoviridae with ebola and marburg and
> one called bunyaviridae with hantavirus.  If anyone could also tell me
> the major viruses in each class, I would appreciate it.  I am a 3rd year
> biology undergraduate, and am just curious as to what viruses fit in
> which group.

And as for your question: classes of viruses would refer to their 
replication mechanisms, and there are seven or so of them.  As for 
the "classes" you give examples of, these are taxons, or taxonomic 
entities: Filoviridae is a family; Hantavirus is a genus in the 
Bunyaviridae.  I strongly recommend a little browsing in a library 
near you...B-)

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 |     Ed Rybicki, PhD      |  ed at molbiol.uct.ac.za   |
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