Based on a typical diagram showing HIV infecting a host cell, which conclusion is best supported?

• A. HIV replicates only in the cytoplasm and never enters the host cell nucleus.
• B. HIV directly synthesizes proteins from its RNA genome without any intermediate steps.
• C. HIV infection does not involve integration of viral genetic material into the host genome.
• D. HIV uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA inside the host cell.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the life cycle of HIV: HIV is a retrovirus that infects host cells by entering them and converting its RNA genome into DNA.
2. Recall that HIV carries an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA) from the viral RNA once inside the host cell.
3. Recognize that this newly synthesized viral DNA is then transported into the host cell nucleus, where it integrates into the host genome, allowing the virus to hijack the host's cellular machinery.
4. Note that HIV does not directly synthesize proteins from its RNA genome; instead, it first converts RNA into DNA, which is then transcribed and translated by the host cell.
5. Conclude that the best-supported statement is that HIV uses reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA inside the host cell, which is a key step in its replication cycle.