Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 94%
Simulated
Which stage of the HIV lifecycle involves the virus attaching to the host cell membrane?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Binding. This stage involves HIV attaching to the host cell membrane through interactions between viral envelope proteins and host cell receptors. This initial attachment is crucial for subsequent entry into the host cell. Integration (choice B) occurs after the virus enters the host cell and involves viral DNA integrating into the host genome. Fusion (choice C) is the next step after binding, where the viral envelope fuses with the host cell membrane to release the viral contents into the host cell. Reverse Transcription (choice D) occurs after fusion, where the viral RNA is reverse transcribed into DNA. Choices E, F, and G are not applicable stages in the HIV lifecycle related to viral attachment.