Question

Describe the life cycle of HIV from the time of its entry into the human body till full-blown AIDS sets in.

Hint:

HIV targets the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections.

Answer 1

Entry: HIV attaches to CD4 receptors on T-cells and fuses with the cell membrane. Reverse Transcription: Viral RNA is converted to DNA by reverse transcriptase. Integration: Viral DNA integrates into the host genome via integrase. Replication: Host machinery synthesizes viral proteins and RNA. Release: New viruses assemble and exit, destroying T-cells over time. Progression: Immune system weakens, leading to opportunistic infections and AIDS.