RETROVIRUS

1. Retrovirus genomes consist of two molecules of RNA (diploid)
2. In the host cell, the RNA codes for DNA (reverse transcriptase) (this is the "retro" part)
3. The DNA is inserted into the host DNA (integrase)
4. The viral DNA can lay dormant or replicate viral RNA using the host cell's tRNA and transcription machinery
5. New viruses are assembled at the host's cell membrane