Why is the common cold virus difficult to cure in humans? (1 point)
A. • It is a spherical-shaped virus with many protein receptors:
B. • It is caused by a special type of virus called a retrovirus.
C. • It possesses a viral genome that mutates very quickly.
D. • It attacks white blood cells that fight off foreign bodies.
C. • It possesses a viral genome that mutates very quickly.
C. • It possesses a viral genome that mutates very quickly.
The correct answer is C. The common cold virus is difficult to cure in humans primarily because it possesses a viral genome that mutates very quickly. The high mutation rate of the cold virus allows it to evade the immune system and adapt to changes in its environment. This makes it challenging to develop effective treatments or vaccines that specifically target the cold virus.
To arrive at this answer, you can eliminate options A, B, and D. Option A is incorrect because the shape of the virus does not directly contribute to its resistance to treatment. Option B is incorrect because the common cold is not caused by a retrovirus; it is most commonly caused by rhinoviruses, which are not retroviruses. Option D is incorrect because the common cold virus does not primarily attack white blood cells; instead, it primarily targets cells in the respiratory system.
Therefore, the correct answer is C, as the high mutation rate of the viral genome is the key factor that makes the common cold virus difficult to cure in humans.