Final answer:
After reverse transcribing its RNA into DNA, a retrovirus integrates its viral DNA into the DNA of the host cell. This allows the viral DNA to direct the synthesis of viral RNA and proteins, leading to the assembly of new virions.
Step-by-step explanation:
After reverse transcribing its RNA into DNA, a retrovirus integrates its viral DNA into the DNA of the host cell. This integration is mediated by the enzyme ligase. Once integrated, the viral DNA can direct the synthesis of viral RNA and proteins, which are used to assemble new virions. These new virions can then infect other host cells and continue the viral replication cycle.
After reverse transcribing its RNA into DNA, a retrovirus integrates this newly formed DNA into the host cell's genome. This DNA, known as the provirus, then uses the host's cellular machinery to undergo transcription and translation, ultimately producing new viral proteins and RNA for the assembly of new virus particles. This mechanism is a key feature of retroviruses and allows the virus to persist within the host, as the proviral DNA is replicated along with the host cell's DNA during cell division.