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Multiple Choice
Which enzyme carried by HIV is responsible for copying the viral RNA genome into complementary DNA?
A
RNA polymerase
B
Protease
C
DNA polymerase
D
Reverse transcriptase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of enzymes in the HIV life cycle. HIV is a retrovirus, which means it has an RNA genome that needs to be converted into DNA to integrate into the host's genome.
Identify the process of reverse transcription. This is the process by which the viral RNA is converted into complementary DNA (cDNA).
Recognize the enzyme responsible for reverse transcription. In retroviruses like HIV, this enzyme is known as reverse transcriptase.
Differentiate between the enzymes listed: RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template, protease cleaves proteins, and DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA from a DNA template.
Conclude that reverse transcriptase is the enzyme that copies the viral RNA genome into complementary DNA, which is crucial for the integration of the viral genome into the host cell's DNA.