Final answer:
The genetic material of HIV consists of single-stranded RNA, distinguishing it as a retrovirus that utilizes reverse transcription to convert RNA into DNA once inside a host cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genetic material of HIV consists of single-stranded RNA. HIV belongs to a category of viruses known as retroviruses, which are characterized by containing RNA as their genetic material.
Upon infecting a host cell, HIV uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA genome into DNA. This newly synthesized viral DNA can then be integrated into the host genome.
HIV's reliance on RNA as genetic material and the subsequent reverse transcription process are key factors differentiating it from other viruses that may contain DNA genomes or use alternate replication strategies.