A student analyzed a viral genome and found that the genome had the following nucleotide composition. 28% adenine 20% thymine 35% cytosine 17% guanine Which of the following best describes the structure of the viral genome?

(A) Double-stranded DNA

(B) Single-stranded DNA

(C) Double-stranded RNA

(D) Single-stranded RNA

Double stranded because of other questions

Answer: Option A) Double-stranded DNA

Explanation:

First, the presence of thymine infers that the genome is DNA.

Then, to determine whether it is single or double stranded, we check if the sum of all nitrogenous bases is equal to 100%

A + C + G + T = 100%

28% + 35% + 20% + 17% = 100%

Since all bases makes 100%, we can conclude that the genome is a double stranded DNA