Machine-translated by Google. Questions are authored in English.
Top

Discussion

Antigenic shift in influenza virus arises from

  • A.integration of the genome into host DNA
  • B.reassortment of genome segments between strains
  • C.gradual accumulation of point mutations
  • D.loss of the viral envelope

Answer: B

Because the genome is segmented, two strains infecting one cell can exchange whole segments and produce a virus carrying a surface protein the population has never met. That abrupt change is what produces pandemics, in contrast to the slow drift of point mutations.

No comment is present. Be the first to comment.
Loading…

Post your comment

Please log in or register to post a comment.