A virus is specific to a particular type of host cell because
A) only certain hosts enter the environment inhabited by the virus.
B) not every virus contains metabolic machinery which can replace that of the host cell.
C) a glycoprotein onthe viralcapsidis a specific match to a receptor on the surface of a compatible host cell.
D) a host cell must be malfunctioning, or a virus cannot infect it.
E) the genome of the virus must be similar to that of its potential host.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The specificity of a virus to a particular type of host cell is largely due to the presence of specific glycoproteins on the viral capsid or envelope that match receptors on the surface of the host cell, allowing the virus to attach and potentially enter the cell.

A Virus Is Specific to a Particular Type of Host