retrovirus
UK[ˈretrəʊˌvaɪrəs]US[ˈretroʊˌvaɪrəs]
n
A type of virus that inserts a DNA copy of its RNA genome into the DNA of a host cell that it invades, thus changing the genome of that cell.
Morpheme Breakdown
retro
virus
retro
backward
virus
poison/slime
Etymology
The term is a modern scientific compound, formed in the 20th century. The prefix "retro-" is borrowed from Latin, where it signifies "backward." It was applied to this virus family due to its unique replication process, which reverses the typical flow of genetic information. The base "virus" comes from Latin for "poison" or "slimy substance," a term used broadly for infectious agents. Thus, a "retrovirus" is literally a "backward poison," describing an agent that reverses the standard DNA-to-RNA sequence by using RNA to create DNA within a host.
Analysis
Structure: retro (backward) + virus (poison/slime)
retro: Latin origin, meaning "backwards" or "in reverse." It functions as a prefix indicating backward motion or direction.
virus: Latin origin, meaning "poison" or "slimy liquid." It functions as the base noun denoting the infectious agent.
Examples
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is the most well-known retrovirus.
Researchers are studying retroviruses to develop new gene therapy techniques.
The retrovirus integrated its genetic material into the chromosome of the host cell.