Question

HIV viral RNA is converted to proviral DNA using enzyme?

• A. Helicase
• B. Proteinase
• C. Integrase
• D. Reverse transcriptase

Hint:

HIV uses reverse transcriptase to convert viral RNA into DNA.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept:
HIV is a retrovirus. Retroviruses have RNA as their genetic material, but they form DNA inside the host cell.

Step 1: Understanding HIV replication.
After HIV enters the host cell, its RNA genome must be converted into DNA.

Step 2: Enzyme involved.
The enzyme reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into complementary DNA. \[ \text{Viral RNA} \xrightarrow{\text{Reverse transcriptase}} \text{Viral DNA} \]

Step 3: Formation of proviral DNA.
The DNA formed from viral RNA becomes proviral DNA after integration into the host genome.

Step 4: Checking other enzymes.
Helicase unwinds nucleic acid strands.
Proteinase helps in viral protein processing.
Integrase inserts viral DNA into host DNA.
Reverse transcriptase converts RNA into DNA.

Step 5: Final answer.
Therefore, the enzyme is reverse transcriptase. \[ \boxed{\text{Reverse transcriptase}} \]