Which one of the following does not follow the central dogma of molecular biology ?
- Mucor
- HIV
- Chlamydomonas
- Pea
Answer
(2) HIV
Solution
As per NCERT, the central dogma states that genetic information flows DNA → mRNA → protein.
∵ In some viruses the flow of information is in the reverse direction, i.e., from RNA to DNA (reverse transcription).
⇒ HIV is a retrovirus with RNA as its genetic material; its reverse transcriptase makes DNA from the viral RNA.
∴ HIV does not follow the central dogma, whereas Mucor, Chlamydomonas and pea have DNA as genetic material and follow it.
Answer: (2)