Final answer:
The viruses mentioned interfere with the a. p53 gene, which is a tumor suppressor gene. The correct answer to the question is option A. Retroviruses, like HIV, use reverse transcriptase to insert their genetic material into the host's genome to replicate.
Step-by-step explanation:
These viruses take over the host machinery to transcribe and translate proteins that interfere with the p53 gene, which normally acts as a tumor suppressor gene. The correct answer is A) p53 gene, tumor suppressor gene.
Viruses can manipulate the host cell's machinery to serve their own genetic reproduction and replication. In the case of retroviruses, they contain an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which enables the synthesis of DNA from their RNA genome.
This DNA is then incorporated into the host's genome and hijacks the host cellular processes to produce more viral particles. Some drugs used in treatments, such as AZT for HIV, target the reverse transcriptase enzyme to inhibit replication of the virus without affecting the host's metabolism.