Which statement would be consistent with the material?

Which statement would be consistent with the material?

• A. HIV is a retrovirus
• B. HIV is not a retrovirus
• C. COVID is a retrovirus
• D. All antivirals cure all viruses

Answer: (A)

Retroviruses carry RNA and use reverse transcriptase to turn their RNA into DNA that integrates into the host cell’s genome. HIV is a classic retrovirus (a lentivirus), so saying HIV is a retrovirus aligns with how these viruses replicate and establish infection. This classification helps explain why antiretroviral therapy targets steps like reverse transcription and genome integration. In contrast, COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is a coronavirus with a different replication strategy, not a retrovirus. And the idea that all antivirals cure all viruses isn’t accurate; antiviral drugs are usually specific to particular viruses and don’t provide universal cures.

Retroviruses carry RNA and use reverse transcriptase to turn their RNA into DNA that integrates into the host cell’s genome. HIV is a classic retrovirus (a lentivirus), so saying HIV is a retrovirus aligns with how these viruses replicate and establish infection. This classification helps explain why antiretroviral therapy targets steps like reverse transcription and genome integration.

In contrast, COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, which is a coronavirus with a different replication strategy, not a retrovirus. And the idea that all antivirals cure all viruses isn’t accurate; antiviral drugs are usually specific to particular viruses and don’t provide universal cures.