A viral species is not defined on the basis of the disease symptoms it causes. The best example of this is
a. polio.
b. rabies.
c. hepatitis.
d. chickenpox and shingles.
e. measles.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that viral species are classified based on genetic material, structure, and replication method, not symptoms.
2. Consider that a single virus can cause different symptoms in different hosts or under different conditions.
3. Recognize that some viruses can cause multiple diseases, which may seem unrelated symptomatically.
4. Identify which of the options provided are known to cause multiple distinct diseases or symptoms.
5. Recall that chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, Varicella-Zoster Virus, illustrating that symptoms alone do not define a viral species.

Key Concepts

Viral Classification

Viral classification is based on various criteria such as genetic material (DNA or RNA), structure, and replication methods rather than the diseases they cause. This is crucial for understanding how viruses are categorized and helps in identifying their relationships and differences.

Viral Pathogenicity

Pathogenicity refers to the ability of a virus to cause disease in a host. However, the same virus can lead to different symptoms in different individuals or species, making it essential to recognize that viral species are not defined solely by the diseases they produce.

Examples of Viral Diseases

Understanding specific viral diseases, such as polio, rabies, hepatitis, chickenpox, shingles, and measles, illustrates the concept of viral classification. Each of these diseases is caused by distinct viruses, which can exhibit varying symptoms and severity, emphasizing the importance of classification beyond disease symptoms.