Coursework.Info - Inspiration in an Instant

On the left is an image preview of every page of this document, and below are the first 150 words with formatting removed:

Retroviruses are a specialised type of virus, characterised by a unique mode of replication within the cells of their hosts. They contain a core of the nucleic acid RNA instead of the usual DNA. Unlike other RNA viruses, retroviruses replicate as DNA rather than RNA genomes inside their hosts by means of the enzyme, reverse transcriptase. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus and upon infection, results in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). When HIV infects a cell, it injects its RNA into the cytoplasm of that cell along with the reverse transcriptase enzyme. The cDNA produced from the RNA template contains the genetic instructions which allows infection of the host cell to proceed. In order to inject its genetic information into the host cell, the HIV must bind its envelope glycoprotein gp120 to molecules on the surface of the cell. Only cells that carry the appropriate molecules are...

Get instant access

• Instant, unlimited access to our documents in full
• Swap your work for free access, or pay £4.99
• To see the full version of this document and 146,871 others

OR

Receive email updates for this category

• Simply tell us your email address and receive a weekly Study Help Email for FREE
• Receive 3 FREE essay views with each email
• Get all the latest essays from Coursework.Info & discussion from TheStudentRoom.co.uk