Question

Why are retroviruses considered a special class of viruses?

a.They leave behind mini-chromosomes when they leave a cell.
b.They carry their own RNA-RNA synthesis enzymes inside their capsids.
c.They transcribe RNA to DNA using reverse transcriptase.
d.They have a phospholipids membrane cloak.
e.They have an RNA genome.

Answer 1

Retroviruses, like HIV, are unique because they reverse transcribe RNA into DNA using the enzyme reverse transcriptase, forming a provirus within the host cell's genome.

Step-by-step explanation:

Retroviruses are considered a unique class of viruses due to their ability to transcribe RNA into DNA, a process contrasted with the typical flow of genetic information. The enzyme reverse transcriptase is pivotal in this process, transforming viral RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA). This cDNA then integrates into the host cell's genome as a provirus, allowing for the potential of a long-term, chronic infection. This integration can disrupt normal cellular processes and contribute to diseases such as AIDS (caused by HIV, which is a type of retrovirus). The complexity of the replication process of retroviruses, particularly their reliance on reverse transcriptase, is a major reason why these viruses are challenging to treat, but it also provides a target for antiretroviral drugs that can inhibit this viral enzyme without harming the host's own cells.

Answer 2

They transcribe RNA to DNA using reverse transcriptase.

Step-by-step explanation:

Retrovirus

A type of virus that uses RNA as its genetic material. After infecting a cell, a retrovirus uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA. The retrovirus then integrates its viral DNA into the DNA of the host cell, which allows the retrovirus to replicate. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is a retrovirus.

Retroviruses have an enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, that gives them the unique property of transcribing their RNA into DNA after entering a cell.