Question

Explain what happens during reverse transcription.

Answer 1

Reverse transcription is the synthesis of DNA from an RNA template. Retrovirus is also a class of RNA viruses, that are characterized by the presence of an RNA - dependent DNA polymerase.

Reverse transcriptase are primer and template dependent just like other DNA polymerase.

Reverse transcription begins when the viral particle enters the cytoplasm of a target cell. The viral RNA genome then enters the cytoplasm as a part of the nucleoprotein complex.

The process of reverse transcription generates in the cytoplasm a linear DNA duplex through a intricate several processes.

Answer 2

Answer: During reverse transcription, a DNA is synthesized from an RNA template.

Explanation: Normally, RNA is synthesized from a DNA template in a process known as transcription but in reverse transcription, a DNA is synthesized from an RNA template. The enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a DNA from an RNA template is known as reverse transcriptase or an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase. Some RNA viruses contain reverse transcriptases and are known as retroviruses. Example of a retrovirus is the human immunedeficiency virus (HIV).