Host specificity of a virus is due to
A) particular genes that it shares with the infected cell.
B) the presence of an envelope.
C) differences in size between the virus and the host cell.
D) the presence or absence of a cell wall on the host cell.
E) interactions between viral and cellular surface molecules.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Host specificity of a virus is primarily due to interactions between viral and cellular surface molecules, such as receptors on the host cell's surface that the virus can recognize and bind to. This is why different viruses tend to infect different types of cells and organisms. The other options are not generally relevant to host specificity.

Host Specificity of a Virus Is Due to