Question

how is the hiv virus different from most viruses such as the common cold or influenza? (1 point)
it has viral dna that is transmitted through indirect contact with infected persons
it attacks neurons in the nervous system and causes paralysis.
it attacks and destroys red blood cells in the bodies of its host organisms.
it copies the information for reproduction from rna into dna.

Explanation:

HIV is a retrovirus. Retroviruses have RNA as their genetic material. They use reverse - transcriptase to make DNA from their RNA. This DNA can then integrate into the host cell's genome. Common cold and influenza viruses do not have this reverse - transcription step (most common cold viruses are rhinoviruses which are RNA viruses but not retroviruses, influenza viruses are also RNA viruses but not retroviruses).

• Option 1: HIV is mainly transmitted through direct contact (e.g., sexual contact, blood - blood contact, mother - child transmission), not indirect contact.
• Option 2: Viruses like poliovirus attack neurons and cause paralysis, not HIV.
• Option 3: HIV attacks CD4+ T - cells (a type of white blood cell), not red blood cells.

Answer:

It copies the information for reproduction from RNA into DNA.