Question

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is classified as which type of virus based on its genetic material?

Options

• Double-stranded RNA virus

• Bacteriophage

• DNA virus

• Retrovirus with single-stranded RNA

Answer 1

HIV is a retrovirus containing single-stranded RNA as its genetic material. Retroviruses encode reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that converts viral RNA into DNA that integrates into the host genome. This mechanism distinguishes retroviruses from other RNA viruses.