Viral genomes

Many viruses use RNA for their genetic material. This is most prevalent among eukaryotic viruses, but a few prokaryotic RNA viruses are also known. Some common examples include poliovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and influenza virus, all of which affect humans, and tobacco mosaic virus, which infects plants. In some viruses the entire genetic material is encoded in a single RNA molecule, while in the segmented RNA viruses several RNA molecules may be present. Many RNA viruses such as HIV use a specialized enzyme called reverse transcriptase that permits replication of the virus through a DNA intermediate. In some cases this DNA intermediate becomes integrated into the host chromosome during infection; the virus then exists in a dormant state and effectively evades the host immune system.