Final answer:
The Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes cold sores, is a DNA virus. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus capable of both lytic replication and establishing latency in nerve cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1)
The Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) that causes cold sores is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A) DNA virus. Unlike retroviruses, which are RNA viruses and utilize reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA into DNA, herpesviruses have their genetic information already stored in the form of DNA. They do not integrate into the host cell genome as retroviruses do. HSV-1 typically infects the facial area leading to cold sores, though it can also cause genital herpes. HSV-1 is characterized by its ability to establish latency, remaining dormant in the body's nerve cells for extended periods before reactivating under certain stress conditions.
Herpesviruses like HSV-1 have the capacity for both lytic replication, where they produce new virus particles and cause cell damage, and latent infection, where they persist in a dormant state. Reactivation of the virus can happen due to various triggers, such as psychological stress or a weakened immune system, leading to recurring cold sore outbreaks.