Which of the following characteristics correctly describes retroviruses?
A) They are made up of only a single protein.
B) They can only reproduce by infecting bacteria.
C) They have a single-stranded DNA that acts as a template for DNA synthesis.
D) They have a single-stranded RNA that acts as a template for DNA synthesis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that serves as a template for the reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce a double-stranded DNA molecule that integrates into the host cell genome. Retroviruses cannot infect bacteria as they require host cell machinery to replicate. They are composed of several proteins, not just one.

Which of the Following Characteristics Correctly Describes Retroviruses