Genetics question needs explanation.

[Jonari]

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I'm a bit curious as to why the answer isn't RNA polymerase, since it's responsible for causing transcription from DNA --> RNA. However, the answer is C for this question.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Must be an error in the question. Step 2 is definitely completed via the host's RNA polymerase and step 3 by reverse transcriptase.

 

[Myxedema]

From Review of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, 12E:

After entry of the virion into the cell and its uncoating, the virion DNA polymerase synthesizes the missing portion of DNA, and a double-stranded closed-circular DNA is formed in the nucleus. This DNA serves as a template for mRNA synthesis by cellular RNA polymerase. After the individual mRNAs are made, a full-length positive-strand transcript is made, which is the template for the minus strand of the progeny DNA. The minus strand then serves as the template for the plus strand of the genome DNA. This RNA-dependent DNA synthesis catalyzed by reverse transcriptase encoded by HBV takes place within the newly assembled virion core in the cytoplasm. The RNA-dependent DNA synthesis that produces the genome and the DNA-dependent DNA synthesis that fills in the missing portion of DNA soon after infection of the next cell are carried out by the same enzyme (i.e., the HBV genome encodes only one polymerase).

Answer is E.

 

[Jonari]

Must be an error in the question. Step 2 is definitely completed via the host's RNA polymerase and step 3 by reverse transcriptase.

From Review of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, 12E:

Answer is E.

I guess a testament to take offline NBMEs with a grain of salt. 🙂