Is antigenic shift alone likely to lead to influenza pandemics?
A.Yes-ONLY antigenic shift can lead to the large-scale mixing of gene elements required to produce a pandemic flu strain.
B.No-ONLY antigenic DRIFT can lead to the large-scale mixing of gene elements required to produce a pandemic flu strain.
C.Perhaps-but it would most likely be a mixture of antigenic shift AND drift that would result in a pandemic strain.
D.No-antigenic SHIFT is responsible for changes in the hemagglutinin protein, while antigenic DRIFT is responsible for changes in the neuraminidase protein.You must have changes in both to lead to a pandemic strain.