GED Science TestLife ScienceHard
A medical researcher is investigating a new drug designed to inhibit viral replication. This drug specifically targets an enzyme responsible for converting the viral RNA genome into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's genome. Which type of virus is this drug most likely designed to combat?
- ARNA bacteriophage
- BPrion
- CRetrovirus
- DDNA virus
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Retrovirus
The drug targets an enzyme that converts viral RNA into DNA. This process is known as reverse transcription and is a hallmark of retroviruses (like HIV), which have an RNA genome that must be reverse-transcribed into DNA before integration into the host genome. DNA viruses replicate directly from DNA, RNA bacteriophages replicate RNA without a DNA intermediate, and prions are misfolded proteins, not viruses with genetic material.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. RNA bacteriophages replicate their RNA genome directly or via an RNA intermediate, without converting to DNA.
- B. Prions are infectious proteins and do not have a nucleic acid genome or replicate via reverse transcription.
- D. DNA viruses replicate using DNA as their genetic material, so converting RNA to DNA is not part of their life cycle.
Retroviral Replication
The process by which retroviruses (e.g., HIV) replicate, involving the reverse transcription of their RNA genome into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell's DNA.
- RNA genome
- Uses reverse transcriptase enzyme
- DNA provirus integrates into host genome
Memory trick: RNA to DNA is Retro; DNA is Direct