What is the function of reverse transcriptase in retroviruses? it converts host cell rna into viral dna. it uses viral rna as a template for dna synthesis. it hydrolyzes the host cell's dna. it translates viral rna into proteins. it uses viral rna as a template for making complementary rna strands?

Question

Nathanael Richmond

Biology

31 March, 08:28

What is the function of reverse transcriptase in retroviruses? it converts host cell rna into viral dna. it uses viral rna as a template for dna synthesis. it hydrolyzes the host cell's dna. it translates viral rna into proteins. it uses viral rna as a template for making complementary rna strands?

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Joslyn Hughes · Answer 1

Retroviruses have an RNA genome rather than the usual DNA genome.

They have a special enzyme called a reverse transcriptase (called RT for short) which takes the RNA genome and transcribes it back into DNA. So from your list the answer would be:

it uses viral RNA as a template for DNA synthesis.