Why is the common cold virus difficult to cure in humans?
It possesses a viral genome that mutates very quickly.
It is spherical shaped virus with many receptors.
It is caused by a special type of virus called retrovirus.
It attacks white blood cells that fight off foreign bodies.
The correct answer is: It possesses a viral genome that mutates very quickly.
The common cold is caused by a variety of viruses, including rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses. These viruses have RNA as their genetic material, which makes them prone to frequent mutations. This high mutation rate allows the viruses to constantly change their surface proteins, making it difficult for the immune system to recognize and eliminate them effectively.
As a result, vaccines and antiviral medications that target specific cold viruses are not very effective since they may become quickly outdated by the emergence of new strains. Additionally, the immune response developed against a specific strain of the common cold may not provide protection against subsequent infections caused by different strains due to the quick mutation rate.
The other options mentioned in your question are not accurate. The common cold is not caused by a retrovirus, and it does not primarily attack white blood cells. While the shape and receptors of the common cold virus can affect its ability to infect host cells, the high mutation rate is the key reason why it is difficult to cure.