The Host Range of a Virus is Determined By

Question

The host range of a virus is determined by
A) the enzymes carried by the virus.
B) whether its nucleic acid is DNA or RNA.
C) the proteins in the host's cytoplasm.
D) the enzymes produced by the virus before it infects the cell.
E) the proteins on its surface and that of the host.

Accepted Answer

The host range of a virus is determined by the proteins on its surface and that of the host. The virus must be able to recognize and bind to specific receptor molecules on the surface of the host cell in order to enter and infect it. The specificity of this interaction determines which types of cells or organisms a virus can infect, i.e., its host range. Other factors such as the type of nucleic acid and enzymes carried by the virus may influence its replication and pathogenicity, but are not the primary determinants of host range.