Question

(a) Name the group of viruses responsible for causing AIDS in humans. Why are these viruses so named?
(b) List any two ways of transmission of HIV infection in humans, other than sexual contact.

Answer 1

a) Retrovirus groups are responsible for causing AIDS in humans. These viruses are called as retrovirus because they contain RNA as genetic material and forms DNA from RNA with the help of reverse transcriptase enzyme.

b) HIV can transmit by

• Transfusion of contaminated blood.
• From an infected mother to her child through the placenta.