Which of the Following Statements is TRUE About HIV Infections

Question

Which of the following statements is TRUE about HIV infections?
A) The viral nucleocapsid of the virus enters the host cell when the viral and host membranes fuse.
B) T-helper cells are greatly reduced in number.
C) The cDNA can integrate into the host chromosome.
D) All of these statements are true.

Accepted Answer

- A is true - HIV enters the host cell by fusion of the viral and host cell membranes, which releases the viral nucleocapsid into the host cell.
- B is true - HIV primarily infects and destroys T-helper cells, resulting in a significant reduction in their number and function.
- C is true - After reverse transcription, the viral cDNA can integrate into the host chromosome, becoming a permanent part of the host cell's DNA.