The ability of a virus or bacteriophage to specifically attach to a host cell occurs through the interactions of the viral attachment protein with the host cell receptor.This binding determines

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The host range of a virus is determined by its ability to specifically attach to a host cell receptor. Different viruses have different viral attachment proteins that interact with different host cell receptors, thus determining the range of host species that a virus can infect.

Other choices are incorrect because viral DNA or RNA replication, the mechanism of viral entry, and the presence of an envelope are all determined by factors within the virus itself and not solely by the binding of the viral attachment protein with the host cell receptor.

The Ability of a Virus or Bacteriophage to Specifically Attach