Final answer:
The flow of information for retroviruses is RNA → DNA → RNA → protein, with reverse transcriptase being the enzyme responsible for converting RNA into DNA, thus differing from the Central Dogma's normal route of DNA → RNA → protein.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct flow of genetic information for retroviruses, such as HIV, is encapsulated by the process where RNA is reverse-transcribed into DNA, which is then used as a template to produce mRNA, finally leading to the synthesis of proteins. This process can be summarized as follows: RNA → DNA → RNA → protein, which corresponds to option 5 in the given question. This is a deviation from the Central Dogma of molecular biology, which normally describes the flow of genetic information as DNA → RNA → protein.
Central Dogma of Life
Under the Central Dogma, the conventional flow of genetic information in most organisms is DNA → RNA → protein. In this flow, DNA is transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated into protein. However, retroviruses like HIV use an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA, thus reversing the typical flow.
In the case of HIV, which is a retrovirus, after reverse transcription, the newly synthesized DNA is integrated into the host cell's genome. From there, the viral DNA is transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated into the viral proteins needed for new virus particles.