North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What type of virus is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

1. DNA virus

2. Retrovirus

3. Enveloped virus

4. RNA virus

The correct answer is: Retrovirus

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is classified as a retrovirus, which is a type of RNA virus. Retroviruses are characterized by their unique ability to convert their RNA genome into DNA after infecting a host cell. This process is facilitated by an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase, which is integral to the life cycle of retroviruses like HIV. Once HIV enters a host cell, it uses reverse transcriptase to transcribe its RNA into DNA. This DNA can then integrate into the host's genome, allowing the virus to replicate along with the host cell's DNA when the cell divides. This ability to integrate into the host genome is a hallmark of retroviruses and distinguishes them from other types of RNA viruses. While HIV is also enveloped, this characteristic pertains more to the structure and means of transmission of the virus rather than its classification. In the context of identifying what type of virus HIV is, recognizing it as a retrovirus is crucial for understanding its biological behavior and the implications for treatment and management of HIV/AIDS.