Antigenic drift differs from antigenic shift in that antigenic drift reflects the exchange of RNA strands between different virus strains within a common host cell,whereas antigenic shift is the gradual mutation over time of the glycoproteins on the viral envelope that bind to immune cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement incorrectly describes antigenic drift and antigenic shift. Antigenic drift is the gradual mutation over time of the viral genome, leading to small changes in the surface antigens. Antigenic shift occurs when two different strains of the virus infect the same host cell and exchange genetic material, leading to the creation of a new strain with a radically different surface antigen.

Antigenic Drift Differs from Antigenic Shift in That Antigenic Drift