A 19 year-old intravenous drug user was exposed to the HIV virus 3 weeks ago and is experiencing a rapid proliferation in viral load. Which statement best captures an aspect of the process of HIV replication that underlies this proliferation?

b) HIV is able to change its RNA into DNA to allow for replication by CD4+ cells

Explanation:

The complete question is as follows:

A 19 year-old intravenous drug user was exposed to the HIV virus 3 weeks ago and is experiencing a rapid proliferation in viral load. Which of the following statements best captures an aspect of the process of HIV replication that underlies this proliferation?

a) Free HIV RNA is able to attach to the cell coat of CD4+ cells

b) HIV is able to change its RNA into DNA to allow for replication by CD4+ cells

c) Expression of reverse transcriptase by CD4+ cells allows replication of HIV cells rather than new lymphocytes.

d) The cytoplasm of CD4+ cells provides a protected environment for the replication of RNA by HIV.

b is the best answer for this question.