What are the types of viruses based on the type of host?

Viruses can be classified into three types based on the type of host - animal viruses, plant viruses, and bacteriophages. Animal viruses infect and live inside the animal cell, including human cells. Their genetic material may consist of DNA or RNA. Examples include Retrovirus, Influenza Virus, Poliovirus, and Mumps Virus. Plant viruses infect plants. They contain RNA as genetic material, which remains enclosed in the protein coat. Examples include Beet Yellow Virus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, and Potato Virus. Bacteriophages infect bacteria. Their genetic material consists of DNA. There are several bacteriophage varieties, each of which will attack only one strain of bacteria. Temperate Phages are the most common example of bacteriophages.