The prefix Retro means reverse. Retroviruses replicate nucleic acids opposite to the standard way, they do it in reverse. Rather than using DNA to make RNA, retroviruses first make DNA from RNA.

• RNA is released in the host cell.
• Special enzymes carried by the viruses make viral DNA.
• The viral DNA attaches to chromosomes in the host cell.
• Viral DNA moves off the host chromosomes and is used to make many copies of viral RNA, which goes into virus particles.
• The virus particles are then released to infect other cells.