Which one of the following cells are attacked by HIV?

The correct answer is Option (3) → T-helper cells

Option (1) Cytotoxic cells — Incorrect. Cytotoxic T cells kill infected cells. HIV does not multiply in them.

Option (2) B-cells — Incorrect. B-lymphocytes make antibodies. They are not the cells HIV enters.

Option (3) T-helper cells — Correct. HIV multiplies inside helper T-lymphocytes, and the new viruses attack more of them. Their number falls steadily, the immune system breaks down, and the person cannot fight even common infections.

Option (4) T-memory cells — Incorrect. Memory cells keep the record of an earlier infection for a faster response the next time. They are not the target of HIV.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 03-06-2025 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
AIDS – “… After getting into the body of the person, the virus enters into macrophages where RNA genome of the virus replicates to form viral DNA with the help of the enzyme reverse transcriptase. This viral DNA gets incorporated into host cell’s DNA and directs the infected cells to produce virus particles (Figure 7.6). The macrophages continue to produce virus and in this way acts like a HIV factory. Simultaneously, HIV enters into helper T-lymphocytes (TH), replicates and produce progeny viruses.”

Figure 7.6 Replication of retrovirus