Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Plant Virus and Animal Virus?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Plant Virus and Animal Virus?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main differences between plant viruses and animal viruses are:

  1. Host: Plant viruses infect plant cells, while animal viruses infect animal cells.
  2. Structure: Plant viruses do not contain a fatty envelope of proteins, while animal viruses have an envelope layer.
  3. Genetic Material: Most plant viruses have a single-stranded RNA genome, while most animal viruses possess a double-stranded DNA genome.
  4. Transmission: Animal viruses do not need to penetrate the cell wall like plant viruses, and their transmission occurs in two ways: endocytosis.
  5. Shape: Plant viruses are usually rod-shaped, while animal viruses can have various shapes.

Examples of plant viruses include tobacco mosaic virus, cauliflower mosaic virus, potato virus Y, and cucumber mosaic virus. Examples of animal viruses include HIV and adenovirus. The same virus cannot infect both plants and animals.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Plant Virus and Animal Virus?
  • Comparative Table: Plant Virus vs Animal Virus

    • Comparative Table: Plant Virus vs Animal Virus

    Here is a table summarizing the differences between plant viruses and animal viruses:

    Feature Plant Viruses Animal Viruses
    Genetic Material Mostly RNA, single or double-stranded Mostly DNA, single or double-stranded
    Shape Rod-shaped, with a protein disc forming a tube around the genetic material Various shapes, including icosahedral, helical, and complex geometries
    Envelope No envelope May have an envelope made of lipids
    Host Plant cells Animal cells
    Diseases Cause plant diseases, such as tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) Cause animal diseases, such as AIDS, rabies, smallpox, herpes, polio, hepatitis A, and more
    Transmission Transmitted through plant sap by various vectors or vertically from parent plants to offspring Transmitted through various means, such as contact with infected bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or bites from infected animals
    Uses Can be used as vectors in genetic engineering to enhance the quantity and quality of plants Used in the production of vaccines

    Please note that the same virus cannot infect both plants and animals.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.