Question

_______ has an RNA chromosome instead of DNA. It requires a special type of replication. (Central dogma: DNA to RNA). Needs special enzymes like RNA replicase can replicate RNA in vitro.

A) Bacteriophage
B) Viroid
C) Retrovirus
D) Prion

Answer 1

A Retrovirus has an RNA chromosome and uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to replicate by converting its RNA into DNA, integrating this DNA into the host genome as part of its replication process. The correct option is A).

Step-by-step explanation:

The entity that has an RNA chromosome instead of DNA and requires a special type of replication is a Retrovirus. Retroviruses use their RNA genome as a template for synthesizing DNA through a process called reverse transcription.

This process is facilitated by an enzyme unique to retroviruses, called reverse transcriptase, which transcribes RNA into DNA. This is in contrast to the central dogma, which typically involves DNA being transcribed into RNA.

\Retroviruses, such as HIV, are well-known for their ability to integrate their DNA into the host genome, a necessary step in their replication cycle. Option A) is the correct one.