Which of the following is the most correct description of the function of reverse transcriptase?
A) It synthesizes a DNA strand from an RNA template, degrades the RNA strand, and replaces the RNA with a new DNA strand.
B) It synthesizes an RNA strand from an integrated DNA, then synthesizes the complementary strand to produce a double-stranded RNA.
C) It synthesizes a DNA from an integrated DNA template, then synthesizes multiple RNA copies of the newly synthesized DNA molecule.
D) It synthesizes an RNA strand from an infecting single-strand RNA then synthesizes multiple RNA copies of both strands.
E) It synthesizes a DNA strand from an infecting RNA strand, then uses the DNA as a template for synthesis of multiple new RNA strands.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase synthesizes a complementary DNA (cDNA) strand from an RNA template. After this, the RNA strand is degraded by the enzyme ribonuclease H, and the reverse transcriptase synthesizes a new DNA strand complementary to the cDNA, resulting in a double-stranded DNA molecule.

Which of the Following Is the Most Correct Description of the Function