Question

What is reverse transcription? Explain how single stranded RNA of viruses give rise to double stranded DNA.

Answer 1

Hint: Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a vital biological macromolecule found in all living organisms. It is primarily engaged in protein synthesis, conveying messenger instructions from DNA, which provides the genetic information necessary for life's development and maintenance.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to create a double helix and carry genetic instructions for the formation, function, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms and viruses. Nucleic acids include DNA and ribonucleic acid.

Complete explanation:
Part A: The synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA) using RNA as a template is known as reverse transcription. It happens when retroviruses, which have RNA as their genetic material, insert their genome into a host cell. Transcribing is the polar opposite of transcription. RNAs are made utilising DNA as a template in transcription.
The process of converting RNA to cDNA is known as reverse transcription. Retroviruses insert their RNA genome into host DNA through reverse transcription. The reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which is an RNA-directed DNA polymerase.

Part B: The enzyme reverse transcriptase is used to synthesise a single stranded DNA known as complementary DNA (or cDNA) from the RNA of viruses (such as Retrovirus). After that, the enzyme DNA polymerase aids in the synthesis of double-stranded DNA from the cDNA template.

Note:
Nucleic acids are long-chain polymeric polymers with nucleotide monomers (repeating units); as a result, the term polynucleotides is commonly used to refer to nucleic acids.
Nucleic acids are divided into two types:
1. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
2. Ribonucleic acid (RNA).
The inheritance and transmission of specific features from one generation to the next is controlled by DNA and RNA. There are primarily two types of nucleic acids that we are aware of.
Functions of nucleic acids-
1. The transmission of intrinsic characteristics from parent to offspring is mediated by nucleic acids.
2. They are in charge of protein synthesis in our bodies, and forensic professionals employ DNA fingerprinting to determine paternity. It's also used to track down and identify offenders. It has also played a vital role in the study of biological evolution and genetics.