Final answer:
A DNA copy of an RNA template synthesized by reverse transcriptase is known as complementary DNA (cDNA). This process, used by retroviruses and in reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), allows the production of double-stranded cDNA from an RNA template for integration into the host's genome or for lab-based genetic studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
A DNA copy of an RNA template synthesized by the enzyme reverse transcriptase is referred to as complementary DNA, or more commonly, cDNA. This process, known as reverse transcription, is utilized by retroviruses to convert their RNA genetic material into DNA inside a host cell. Once the RNA is reverse transcribed into cDNA, it can then be integrated into the host's genome, where it gets replicated alongside the host's DNA, and it can also be transcribed into new viral RNA and viral proteins.
Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) is a laboratory technique that utilizes this enzyme to create cDNA from an RNA template for subsequent amplification. Thus, reverse transcriptase not only plays a critical role in viral replication but also serves as a key tool in genetic research and biotechnological applications.
During this process, the single-stranded RNA serves as a template for the synthesis of a complementary DNA strand. The enzyme reverse transcriptase catalyzes the formation of this cDNA. Next, a second cDNA strand is synthesized, resulting in a double-stranded cDNA (ds cDNA), which can be incorporated into the host genome as a provirus or used in various genetic engineering techniques.