Which of the following allows the AIDS virus, which contains RNA, to insert viral DNA into the DNA of a host cell after the AIDS virus enters the cell?
A. The phospholipids found on the envelope of the virus.
B. Reverse transcriptase, an enzyme encoded by the virus.
C. Receptor proteins located on the surface of the virus.
D. The protein that makes up the capsid of the virus.
Reverse transcriptase, an enzyme encoded by the virus.
Reverse transcriptase is a virus-specific enzyme that transcribes an RNA template to DNA1.
This allows the AIDS virus, which contains RNA, to insert viral DNA into the DNA of a host cell after the AIDS virus enters the cell.
Choice A, The phospholipids found on the envelope of the virus, is not the correct answer because phospholipids are a major component of cell membranes and do not play a direct role in inserting viral DNA into the DNA of a host cell.
Choice C, Receptor proteins located on the surface of the virus, is not the correct answer because receptor proteins located on the surface of the virus play a role in attachment and fusion of HIV virons to host cells, but do not play a direct role in inserting viral DNA into the DNA of a host cell.
Choice D, The protein that makes up the capsid of the virus, is not the correct answer because capsid is the outer protein shell of a virus and does not play a direct role in inserting viral DNA into the DNA of a host cell.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.