Retroviral genomes tend to mutate at a very high rate. What statement BEST explains this observation?
A) The RNA genome is highly susceptible to chemical damage.
B) Specific enzymes in cells will modify the genome as a protection against infection.
C) RNA phosphodiester bonds will tend to hydrolyze spontaneously.
D) The virus changes the sequence to prevent antibody binding to the viral genome.
E) Reverse transcriptase lacks a 3' to 5'exonuclease activity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reverse transcriptase, the enzyme responsible for converting the RNA genome of retroviruses into DNA, lacks the proofreading ability (3’ to 5’ exonuclease activity) that would correct errors during replication. This leads to a high mutation rate.

Retroviral Genomes Tend to Mutate at a Very High Rate