Retroviruses
The diagram above illustrates how a retrovirus enters a T cell
and then shows how reverse transcriptase converts the RNA code of the virus
into a molecule of DNA which can be used to manufacture more viral RNA as well
as the protein coat of the virus. When many new HIV viruses are manufactured
in the cell, the HIV viruses are released by rupturing the cell membrane. This
kills the host cell. If enough T cells are killed as the infection spreads,
the patient begins to have a reduced immune system, and they begin to show the
outward symptoms of "aids".
Long & Slichter