Retroviridae

**Semantic type:** Virus

**Definition:** A family of viruses that possess RNA-dependent DNA polymerases (reverse transcriptases) and contain two identical molecules of positive sense, single-stranded RNA of high molecular weight. This RNA serves as a template for the synthesis of a complementary DNA, which may be integrated into the host DNA. Virions are enveloped.

**Synonyms:** - Retrovirus - Retroviruses - Virus-Retrovirus - retrovirus