Which statement about viral replication is correct?

The statement regarding double-stranded RNA genomes having dual roles is correct. In the context of viral replication, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses utilize their genomes in two ways during the replication cycle. First, one strand of the dsRNA serves as a template for synthesizing mRNA, which is then translated into viral proteins. Second, the other strand can serve as a template for synthesizing additional dsRNA genomes. This dual functionality is crucial for the virus’s ability to replicate efficiently and produce new virions.

Understanding the nature of double-stranded RNA is important because it plays a significant role in the life cycle of these viruses. The replication strategy is different from that of single-stranded RNA viruses, which do not have the same duality of function inherent in their genome structure.

In contrast, RNA viruses generally do not assemble in the nucleus; instead, they often replicate in the cytoplasm. Additionally, while some DNA viruses can code for all the enzymatic molecules required for their replication, many rely on host cell machinery for transcription and replication. Furthermore, viral single-stranded RNA serves as either a template for protein synthesis or, in some cases, as a genome for direct translation, but this does not encapsulate the dual roles highlighted in