Antigenic shift is best described as a

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antigenic shift is a process in which different strains of influenza viruses exchange genetic material. This can occur when two or more different influenza viruses (usually from different species, such as birds and pigs) infect the same host cell, allowing their genetic material to mix and form a new strain of influenza. This can result in a virus with completely new surface antigens, allowing it to evade the immune defenses of the host population and potentially causing a pandemic. The mixing of RNA segments to form a new form of the hemagglutinin gene is a key component of this process.

Antigenic Shift Is Best Described as a