Classification and Taxonomy for Orthomyxoviridae

"Orthomyxo" means "true mucous"

Two genera of Orthomyxoviridae that cause disease in humans:
influenza A and B viruses
and influenza C viruses

 

Genome Information

Nucleic Acid

RNA

Strandedness

Single Stranded

Sense

Negative Sense

Shape

Linear

Site of replication

Nucleus *this is an exception for a RNA virus*

Number of segments

usually 8, but influenza c has 7 segments

Infectious?

No!

Number of genes

at least ten, with two overlapping genes

Oncogenic Potential?

No!

Genetech has a great diagram that illustrates Influenza A replication.


 

Virion Information

Virion Shape

Pleomorphic, often spherical

Virion Size- diameter

about 100 nanometers

Shape of nucleocapsid

helical

Enveloped or naked?

enveloped (helical nucleocapsids are enveloped)

Number of proteins

usually eight, but seven for influenza c

 

In terms of Humans and Viruses, Orthomyxoviridae can be classified as one of the six sick sisters.

Orthomyxoviridae Main Page