Final answer:
HIV assembles its capsid correctly by self-assembly of capsomere proteins into a conical structure that encloses the viral RNA and enzymes. This process is followed by the fusion of the virus with the host cell, reverse transcription of its RNA into DNA, and integration into the host's genome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an enveloped, icosahedral retrovirus that infects immune cells by attaching to the CD4 receptor. The virus assembles its capsid through a process that involves multiple viral proteins. The capsid is a conical structure made up of protein subunits called capsomeres, which self-assemble in a highly orchestrated manner. The capsid encloses the HIV RNA and essential enzymes like reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease -- integral to the virus's ability to replicate within the host. During assembly, once inside the infected cell, the viral RNA and enzymes are packaged together and the capsid proteins form around them, creating the new virions that can then go on to infect other cells.
HIV's glycoproteins, specifically gp120 and gp41, are embedded in the viral envelope and play a crucial role in attachment and entry into host cells. Once the virus fuses with the host cell and releases its contents, the single-stranded RNA genome is reverse transcribed into DNA, which is then integrated into the host's genome, allowing the virus to use the host's machinery to create new viral particles. The assembly of the capsid and the incorporation of the viral component into the host cell are crucial for the replication and propagation of the virus.