Question

How does reverse transcriptase synthesize enough DNA to represent the entire RNA genome?

Answer 1

Reverse transcriptase synthesizes a double stranded cDNA from an RNA genome, which is then transcribed into new viral RNA genomes and mRNAs for viral proteins. Reverse transcriptase can also be used in the laboratory to reverse transcribe cDNA from any RNA sequence.

Step-by-step explanation:

Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme that makes a double stranded cDNA from an RNA genome. This cDNA is then transcribed into new viral RNA genomes and mRNAs for viral proteins. The viral proteins encapsulate the RNA genomes into new viruses. Reverse transcriptase can also be used in the laboratory to reverse transcribe cDNA from virtually any RNA sequence.