Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 66%
Simulated
In which stage of the HIV lifecycle does the enzyme integrase play a crucial role, and what is its function in that stage?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Integration. During the integration stage of the HIV lifecycle, integrase plays a crucial role in inserting the viral DNA into the host's genome. This process is essential for the virus to establish a latent infection and ensures the viral genetic material becomes a permanent part of the host cell's DNA. Integrating the viral DNA into the host genome allows the virus to evade the host immune response and replicate itself during cell division. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the role of integrase in the HIV lifecycle. Choice A is incorrect because assembly is primarily facilitated by other viral proteins, not integrase. Choice C is incorrect because entry is mediated by other viral proteins, such as gp120. Choice D is incorrect because reverse transcription is catalyzed by the enzyme reverse transcriptase, not integrase.