Overview
Retroviruses are a unique class of viruses that utilize RNA as their genetic material and possess the ability to convert this RNA into DNA through the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This process allows retroviruses to integrate their genetic material into the host's DNA, leading to replication and po...
Key Terms
Example: HIV is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system.
Example: Reverse transcriptase allows HIV to integrate into the host's DNA.
Example: Viruses like retroviruses use RNA to carry their genetic information.
Example: Retroviruses convert their RNA into DNA to replicate.
Example: Retroviruses replicate by integrating their DNA into the host genome.
Example: HIV attacks the immune system, weakening the body's ability to fight infections.
Related Topics
Viral Pathogenesis
Study of how viruses cause disease in hosts, including mechanisms of infection and immune response.
intermediateImmunology
The branch of biology that deals with the immune system and its responses to pathogens.
advancedMolecular Biology
The study of biological processes at the molecular level, including DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.
intermediateKey Concepts
Reverse TranscriptaseHIVViral ReplicationImmune System Interaction