Final answer:
Reverse transcriptase synthesizes DNA from an RNA template, an essential process in the reproduction of retroviruses like HIV. This enzyme facilitates the reverse transcription necessary for the virus to integrate into the host genome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme found in association with retroviral activity, including viruses such as HIV. It synthesizes DNA from an RNA template. This process, known as reverse transcription, is a key step in the life cycle of retroviruses. By using reverse transcriptase, retroviruses are able to insert their genetic material into the host cell's DNA, which allows them to replicate and produce new viruses. The activity of reverse transcriptase is opposite to the usual process of transcription where RNA is made from a DNA template, hence the name 'reverse' transcriptase.