Final answer:
The statement that retroviruses have ssDNA as their genome is false
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that retroviruses have ssDNA as their genome is false. Retroviruses actually have single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) as their genome, not DNA. Specifically, these viruses belong to Group VI and are characterized by having a diploid ssRNA genome which they must convert to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) using the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Once this dsDNA is formed, it can be incorporated into the host cell's genome becoming a provirus. This is in contrast to Group II viruses, which have single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) genomes and must convert their ssDNA into a dsDNA intermediate before they can proceed with transcription to mRNA.
Retroviruses have single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) as their genome, not ssDNA. Using reverse transcriptase, retroviruses convert ssRNA to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), which can then integrate into the host's genome.