Describe the types of viruses and give their economic importance.

Dear student,
Please find below the solution to the asked query

Viruses may be classified in many ways. One of the classification is based on type of host they infect. They are of three types:

1. Animal viruses: They infect animals. E.g, HIV
2. Plant Viruses: They infect plants. E.g, TMV
3. Bacteriophages: They infect bacteria. E.g, Temperate phages. 

​Another classification may be based on type of genetic material. These include

1. DNA Viruses: They contain DNA as genetic material. E.g, bacteriophages, cyanophages.
2. RNA Viruses: They contain RNA as genetic material. E.g, plant viruses

Economic importance:
i. They are used in biology as model organism to study genetics, molecular mechanisms, cellular processes etc.
ii. They are used to develop vaccines.
iii. They are used as vectors to carry genes in gene manipulation and gene therapy.
iv. They can be used as biological weapon to kill other organisms including human.
v. They are used in medicines to treat diseases and diagnostics.   
vi. They can be engineered to infect and destroy pests which attack crops, thus helping farmers to make money.

Hope this information will clear your doubts about the said topic.

Regards