Interferons are Thought to "Interfere" with Viral Infection Because They

Question

Interferons are thought to "interfere" with viral infection because they
A)prevent virus particles from entering neighboring, uninfected cells.
B)create holes in the plasma membranes of infected cells.
C)attach to the DNA of viruses, preventing their replication.
D)prevent the function of natural killer cells, making it more difficult for the immune system to fight off an infection.

Accepted Answer

Interferons are signaling proteins that are released by host cells in response to the presence of viruses. They bind to nearby uninfected cells and trigger antiviral defenses, such as preventing the viral particles from entering these cells. This interferes with the spread of the virus to other cells in the body.