HIV is classified as a retrovirus. Which sequence of genetic information flow does it use during its reproductive cycle?

• A. DNA → RNA → protein
• B. DNA → protein → RNA
• C. RNA → protein → DNA
• D. RNA → DNA → RNA → protein

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the central dogma of molecular biology, which typically describes the flow of genetic information as DNA → RNA → protein in most organisms.
2. Recognize that HIV is a retrovirus, meaning it has RNA as its genetic material instead of DNA.
3. Recall that retroviruses use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA once inside a host cell.
4. Identify the sequence of genetic information flow in HIV: first, the viral RNA is reverse transcribed into DNA (RNA → DNA).
5. Then, this DNA is transcribed back into RNA (DNA → RNA), which is finally translated into viral proteins (RNA → protein) to produce new virus particles.