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NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2020
Applied Microbiology & Infection control
Easy

HIV Virus basically consists of?

Appeared in: NCL (MP) Nursing Officer - 2020

Explanation

  • The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is classified as a retrovirus.
  • The core of the HIV virion contains its genetic information in the form of two identical molecules of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA).
  • This is a defining characteristic of retroviruses, which use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert their RNA genome into DNA within the host cell.
  • The accompanying image visually confirms the presence of RNA strands within the viral capsid, along with the reverse transcriptase enzyme.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is not the genetic material of HIV. The virion itself contains RNA.
  • Option B: The HIV virion does not contain double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). While HIV's RNA is converted into dsDNA (called a provirus) inside the host cell, the infectious particle itself carries RNA.
  • Option D: Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is not found in HIV. HIV's genome consists of two separate single strands of RNA.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Genetic material of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Understanding that HIV is an RNA virus is fundamental to comprehending how antiretroviral therapy (ART) works. Drugs like Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (e.g., Tenofovir, Emtricitabine) directly target the conversion of viral RNA to DNA, a step unique to retroviruses.
  • Diagnostic tests for HIV often target specific parts of the virus. For example, the p24 antigen test detects the capsid protein, providing an early diagnosis before antibodies are formed. Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT) directly detect the viral RNA in the blood.
  • Patient education about HIV often involves explaining its retroviral nature to help them understand the lifelong need for ART, as the virus integrates its genetic material into the host's own DNA.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the basic composition of the HIV virus.
  • Recall the classification of HIV. It is a retrovirus.
  • Access your knowledge about the defining characteristics of retroviruses. The key feature is their genetic material and mode of replication.
  • Remember that retroviruses carry their genetic code on RNA and use a special enzyme, reverse transcriptase, to create DNA from the RNA template inside a host cell.
  • Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. 'Single Stranded RNA' is the correct description of the genetic material within the HIV virion. Eliminate the DNA and double-stranded RNA options as they are characteristic of other virus families.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Genetic material of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Stem keywords: HIV Virus, consists of, genetic material
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QtYVLwU9UHFE72AgnYPNWY

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 1939-1941

E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 85-87

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 1 (1-214) p. 152-154

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