- Reverse transcriptase of retero virus is-
(1) DNA dependent DNA polymerase
(2) DNA dependent RNA polymerase
(3) RNA dependent DNA polymerase
(4) RNA dependent RNA polymerase
What Is Retroviral Reverse Transcriptase?
Retroviral reverse transcriptase (RT) is a multifunctional enzyme critical for the life cycle of retroviruses such as HIV and HTLV. It catalyzes the synthesis of DNA from an RNA template, a process called reverse transcription. This enzyme enables the conversion of the single-stranded RNA genome of the virus into double-stranded DNA, which can then integrate into the host cell genome.
Key Activities of Retroviral Reverse Transcriptase
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RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity:
RT uses viral RNA as a template to synthesize complementary DNA (cDNA). -
Ribonuclease H activity:
RT degrades the RNA strand of RNA-DNA hybrids formed during reverse transcription. -
DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity:
RT synthesizes the second DNA strand using the newly formed cDNA as a template.
Why Is Reverse Transcriptase an RNA-Dependent DNA Polymerase?
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The primary function of retroviral RT is to synthesize DNA from an RNA template, which is the hallmark of an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase.
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Unlike DNA-dependent DNA polymerases that use DNA templates, RT reads RNA sequences to produce complementary DNA.
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This unique activity allows retroviruses to bypass the central dogma’s typical flow of genetic information (DNA → RNA → Protein) by transferring information from RNA back to DNA.
Supporting Information from Scientific Sources
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Reverse transcriptase synthesizes complementary DNA strands based on RNA templates.
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Retroviral RT sequentially performs RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity, RNase H activity, and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity to generate double-stranded DNA from single-stranded RNA.
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This enzyme is essential for retroviral replication and is a key target for antiviral therapies.
Explanation of Options
| Option | Correctness | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| (1) DNA dependent DNA polymerase | Incorrect | RT uses RNA, not DNA, as the initial template |
| (2) DNA dependent RNA polymerase | Incorrect | RT does not synthesize RNA from DNA |
| (3) RNA dependent DNA polymerase | Correct | RT synthesizes DNA using RNA as template |
| (4) RNA dependent RNA polymerase | Incorrect | RT does not synthesize RNA from RNA |
Conclusion
Retroviral reverse transcriptase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template during the viral replication cycle. This activity is fundamental to retrovirus biology and distinguishes RT from other polymerases.
Keywords
reverse transcriptase, retrovirus, RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, HIV, viral replication, reverse transcription, ribonuclease H, DNA polymerase, cDNA synthesis, antiviral targets
Final answer:
(3) RNA dependent DNA polymerase
42 Comments
priti khandal
July 27, 2025yes sir
Priya dhakad
July 29, 2025Easily solve hogya sir
Santosh Saini
July 29, 2025Option C is correct , RNA dependent DNA polymerase synthesized DNA from RNA template
Surbhi Rajawat
July 29, 2025The template for DNA synthesis here in this process is RNA. Therefore reverse transcriptase is called RNA dependent DNA polymerase
Mitali Saini
July 29, 2025The correct option is (3) RNA dependent DNA polymerase RT synthesize DNA using RNA as template
Soniya Shekhawat
July 29, 2025In retrovirus reverse transcriptase is in which that synthesis the DNA from the RNA template so RNA dependent DNA polymerase
Pratibha
July 29, 2025Correct option is option (3)
Reverse transcriptase is RNA dependent DNA polymerase which synthesize DNA from RNA template
anurag giri
July 29, 2025Ans 3 reverse transcriptase is RDDP it makes dna from rna strand
Kajal
July 29, 2025Option 3 is right
Because when DNA is formed from RNA it is known as reverse transcription means Rna dependent dna polymerase
anurag giri
July 29, 2025Ans 3 reverse transcription is rna to dna synthesis so enzyme is rna dependent dna polymerase
Anisha jakhar
July 29, 2025Correct option is 3. RNA dependent DNA polymerase.
Priya Khandal
July 29, 2025Reverse transcriptase is RNA dependent DNA polymerase
Khushi Agarwal
July 29, 2025Optn 3 is correct answer
Rna dependent dna polymerase
Shivani Panwar
July 29, 2025Ans is 3
Easy sir..👍
Neelam Sharma
July 29, 2025RNA dependent DNA polymerase
Vijay kumar meena
July 29, 2025Option 3 is correct Rna-dna Rna dependent dna polymerase
Priyanka choudhary
July 29, 2025RNA dependent-DNA polymerase because,
Reverse transcription ak enzyme hai jo RNA se DNA bnane m helpfull hai
Monika jangid
July 29, 2025Option 3 is correct rna dependent dna polymerase
shruti sharma
July 29, 2025rna dependent dna polymerase
Dipti Sharma
July 29, 2025Correct option : 3
Because reverse transcriptase means rna to dna, which is a feature of rna dependent dna polymerase
Mohini
July 30, 2025Option C: RNA dependent DNA polymerase
Payal Gaur
July 30, 2025RNA dependent DNA polymerase 👍
Deepshikha choudhary
July 30, 2025RNA dependent DNA polymerase
HIMANI FAUJDAR
July 30, 2025Answer is RNA dependent DNA polymerase
Juber Khan
July 30, 2025Dna ~ Rna = transcriptase
Rna~ Dna = reverse transcriptase
Telomerase enzyme (Rna) add on telomere ~~ rna se dna ka formation RDRP ( reverse transcriptase)
Khushi Vaishnav
July 30, 2025Option 3 is correct because RT synthesizes DNA using RNA as template
Mansukh Kapoor
July 30, 2025The correct answer is option 3rd because retro virus uses RNA as the template strand to form the DNA .
Ajay Sharma
July 30, 2025rna dependent dna polymerase because this will synthesize dna from the rna so it is dependent on rna but will form dna so is called dna polymerase
Niti tanwar
July 30, 2025Right answer is c Rna depended Dna polymerase
Mahima sharma
July 30, 2025Rna dependent dna polymerase
Vanshika Sharma
July 31, 2025Opt 3 bcz it synthesis dna using rna template
Dp
August 1, 2025Rddp
SHOBHA SHARMA
August 1, 2025Answar RNA depended DNA Polymerase
Deepika sheoran
August 2, 2025Rna dependent DNA polymerase
Varsha tatla
August 2, 2025Answer is rddp here. Rna use as a templete
Manisha choudhary
August 3, 2025Done sir 👍🏻
ritrovirus m reverse transcriptase enzyme hota h jo rna ko template ki tarah use krta h and c dna bnata h y iska primary function h isliye is rna dependent dna polymerase bolte h (rna s dna bnana )
reverstrancriptase enzyme cdna ko read kr k dna ki dusri strand bnata h isliye y dna dependent dna polymerase enzyme bhi h pr y primarily rna ko template ki tarah read kr k DNA bnata h isliye rna dependent DNA polymerase sahi answer hoga
Central dogma genetics information transfer k baare m btata h ki information rna s dna and dna s protein ki or transfer hoti h pr reverstrancriptase enzyme genetic information ko rna s dna m tranfer krta h jo ise other polymerase s different bhi bnata h
Anjani sharma
August 5, 2025Correct answer 3 ,rna dependent dna polymerase
Nilofar khan
August 16, 2025Correct answer is (c) rna dependent dna polymerase
Aafreen Khan
August 23, 2025RNA dependent DNA polymerase because Reverse Transcription synthesizes DNA using RNA as template
vishal saini
September 18, 2025very very easy question ☺️
Komal Sharma
October 2, 2025Conclusion
Retroviral reverse transcriptase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template during the viral replication cycle. This activity is fundamental to retrovirus biology and distinguishes RT from other polymerases.
Deepika Sheoran
November 7, 2025RNA dependent DNA polymerase