HIV belongs to which of the following families of viruses?

Options

A. Retrovirus
B. Togavirus
C. Adenovirus
D. Lentivirus

Answer

To determine which family of viruses HIV belongs to, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify HIV**: Start by recognizing that HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is known to cause AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

2. **Examine the Genetic Material**: Understand that the genetic material of HIV is composed of RNA (ribonucleic acid). This is a crucial characteristic that helps classify the virus.

3. **Classify the Virus**: Based on its RNA genetic material, HIV is classified under the family of viruses known as Retroviruses. Retroviruses are characterized by their ability to reverse transcribe their RNA into DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase.

4. **Consider Other Virus Families**:
- **Togavirus**: This family includes viruses like the rubella virus, which is not related to HIV.
- **Adenovirus**: This family is associated with respiratory illnesses and does not include HIV.
- **Lentivirus**: While HIV is a type of Lentivirus, it is more accurate to classify it under the broader category of Retroviruses.

5. **Conclude the Answer**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question "HIV belongs to which of the following families of viruses?" is that HIV belongs to the **Retrovirus** family.

### Final Answer:
HIV belongs to the **Retrovirus** family.

---