Question

RNA viruses such as HIV require the activity of reverse:

a. Polymerase
b. Transcriptase
c. Transposase
d. None of the above

Answer 1

RNA viruses like HIV use reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA, allowing them to replicate within the host cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

Retroviruses, such as HIV, have an RNA genome that requires conversion into DNA to integrate into the host cell's genome. This conversion is done by an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase, which the retrovirus brings into a cell during infection. While normal transcription involves creating RNA from DNA, reverse transcriptase performs the opposite function by transcribing RNA back to DNA. This DNA is then inserted into the host cell's DNA, allowing the virus to replicate and establish a chronic infection.