Arrange the given steps regarding replication of retrovirus in correct sequence.
A. Viral DNA is produced by reverse transcriptase
B. New retroviruses are produced
C. Retrovirus DNA incorporates into host genome
D. Retrovirus infects normal cell
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → D, A, C, B
A retrovirus, such as HIV, has RNA as its genetic material. It multiplies inside a host cell in the following order.
D. Retrovirus infects normal cell — first. The virus, with its protein coat and RNA core, attacks a normal cell, and its RNA enters the cell.
A. Viral DNA is produced by reverse transcriptase — second. The enzyme reverse transcriptase copies the viral RNA into viral DNA. This is the reverse of the usual flow, where DNA is copied into RNA.
C. Retrovirus DNA incorporates into host genome — third. The viral DNA gets joined into the DNA of the host cell. It then directs the cell to make virus particles.
B. New retroviruses are produced — last. The infected cell makes new viral RNA and proteins. New viruses are formed and released to infect other cells. In this way an infected macrophage works like an HIV factory.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 29-05-2026 (Slot 1) and on 24-05-2026 (Slot 2), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 02-07-2023 (Slot 3), on 30-05-2023 (Slot 1) and on 27-05-2023 (Slot 3).
NCERT Extract:
