Are retroviruses diploid? (EK Bio 1001 Q233)

[sicboy188]

The explanation for this question made my head spin a little.

"... Because retroviruses have 2 copies of single stranded RNA they are diploid. By definition, a diploid cell contains two copies of each chromosomal set..."

Maybe im just use to chromosomes and diploidy harping on DNA and not RNA. Is this a false assumption?

Seriously where is salty.

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[Alteran]

By that definition yes. But technically they are pseudo-diploid because current research shows that HIV's reverse transcription only requires one copy of (+)ssRNA for duplex DNA formation.

 

[sicboy188]

so RNA viruses fall in the under haploid/diploid qualification?

please elucidate my genetically feeble mind.

 

[coffeebythelake]

so RNA viruses fall in the under haploid/diploid qualification?

please elucidate my genetically feeble mind.

I would say diploid.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

diploid

 

[sicboy188]

thanks all!

 

[tncekm]

The explanation for this question made my head spin a little.

"... Because retroviruses have 2 copies of single stranded RNA they are diploid. By definition, a diploid cell contains two copies of each chromosomal set..."

Maybe im just use to chromosomes and diploidy harping on DNA and not RNA. Is this a false assumption?

Seriously where is salty.

If the copies aren't identical (maybe this doesn't even matter if the two copies aren't connected with a centromere?), I'd agree its diploid.