Viruses kill host cells by _________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Viruses can kill host cells by two main mechanisms. First, after new virus particles are synthesized in the host cell, they can cause the cell to burst (lysis) when they are released, which can kill the host cell. Second, viruses can use cellular resources to synthesize new viruses, which can deprive the host cell of these resources and ultimately cause the cell to die. Both of these mechanisms contribute to virus-induced cell death. Choice A is only partially correct, as it describes one mechanism of virus-induced cell lysis, but does not account for the depletion of cellular resources. Choices C and E describe the release of enzymes that break down host cell membranes, which can be a mechanism by which some viruses cause cell death, but not all viruses use this mechanism.

Viruses Kill Host Cells by _________