How does a virus enter/infect a host cell? *
It produces enzymes that helps it break through the cell membrane
It produces a specific surface protein that allows it to anchor onto a receptor on the host cell and enter
It releases its genetic material (either RNA or DNA) that is small enough to cross the cell membrane
It can only enter through cell membranes that have been partially damaged by the virus
The correct answer is: It produces a specific surface protein that allows it to anchor onto a receptor on the host cell and enter.
To understand how a virus enters a host cell, we need to know some basic information about the structure of a virus and a host cell. A virus is an infectious agent that is composed of genetic material (either RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid. Viruses can infect a wide range of organisms, including plants, animals, and even bacteria. A host cell, on the other hand, is a living cell that the virus requires to replicate and cause infection.
When a virus comes into contact with a host cell, it uses various strategies to gain entry. One common method is through the production of a specific surface protein. This surface protein interacts with a receptor on the host cell's membrane, much like a lock and key mechanism. The surface protein on the virus acts as the key, while the receptor on the host cell acts as the lock. When the virus attaches to the receptor, it triggers a series of events that allows the virus to enter the cell.
Once inside the cell, the virus can release its genetic material (RNA or DNA) into the host cell's cytoplasm. This genetic material carries instructions for the host cell to produce new viral particles, hijacking the cell's machinery for viral replication. The newly produced viruses can then go on to infect other cells in the body and continue the cycle of infection.
It is important to note that viruses cannot enter cells through partially damaged cell membranes alone. They require specific surface protein interactions with receptors on host cells to gain entry. This selective mechanism helps ensure that viruses can only infect specific cell types, limiting the range of cells they can enter and replicate within.