<P> A retrovirus is a single - stranded positive - sense RNA virus with a DNA intermediate and , as an obligate parasite , targets a host cell . Once inside the host cell cytoplasm , the virus uses its own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome , the reverse of the usual pattern , thus retro ( backwards ) . The new DNA is then incorporated into the host cell genome by an integrase enzyme , at which point the retroviral DNA is referred to as a provirus . The host cell then treats the viral DNA as part of its own genome , transcribing and translating the viral genes along with the cell 's own genes , producing the proteins required to assemble new copies of the virus . It is difficult to detect the virus until it has infected the host . At that point , the infection will persist indefinitely . </P>
<P> A retrovirus is a single - stranded positive - sense RNA virus with a DNA intermediate and , as an obligate parasite , targets a host cell . Once inside the host cell cytoplasm , the virus uses its own reverse transcriptase enzyme to produce DNA from its RNA genome , the reverse of the usual pattern , thus retro ( backwards ) . The new DNA is then incorporated into the host cell genome by an integrase enzyme , at which point the retroviral DNA is referred to as a provirus . The host cell then treats the viral DNA as part of its own genome , transcribing and translating the viral genes along with the cell 's own genes , producing the proteins required to assemble new copies of the virus . It is difficult to detect the virus until it has infected the host . At that point , the infection will persist indefinitely . </P>
viral dna that is incorporated into the genome of a host cell is called a
viral dna that is incorporated into the genome of a host cell is called a
retrovirus
retrovirus