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Multiple Choice
Which of the following enzymes are contained within the HIV virion particle?
A
Helicase
B
Reverse transcriptase
C
DNA polymerase
D
RNA polymerase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure and function of the HIV virion particle. HIV is a retrovirus, which means it contains RNA as its genetic material and uses reverse transcription to replicate within a host cell.
Identify the key enzymes involved in the replication process of retroviruses like HIV. These typically include reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease.
Recognize that reverse transcriptase is crucial for converting the viral RNA into DNA, which can then integrate into the host's genome. This enzyme is unique to retroviruses and is contained within the HIV virion particle.
Differentiate between the enzymes listed in the problem. Helicase is involved in unwinding DNA, DNA polymerase synthesizes DNA from a DNA template, and RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA from a DNA template. None of these are directly involved in the initial replication process of HIV within the virion particle.
Conclude that reverse transcriptase is the enzyme contained within the HIV virion particle, as it is essential for the virus's ability to replicate its RNA genome into DNA once inside a host cell.