One of the reasons scientists have had so much difficulty finding a cure for HIV/AIDS is that the HIV virus is quick to evolve resistance to the drugs used to treat it. What is the most likely mechanism for this type of evolution?
A)Certain versions of the virus are slower to die in the presence of a drug than others. Those viruses may survive drug treatment and pass their genes to their offspring.
B)Every time an HIV drug is taken, it randomly kills off most but not all virus particles. Those that survive repopulate the body of their host.
C)Although all copies of a particular strain of the HIV virus are identical, some are better at "hiding" in regions of the body that drugs cannot reach, and those viruses "teach" their offspring where to hide.
D)Some versions of the HIV virus produce chemicals that break down the drugs before they can harm the virus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The HIV virus has a high mutation rate, leading to genetic variations. Some variants may have mutations that confer resistance to drugs, allowing them to survive and reproduce, passing on the resistant genes.

One of the Reasons Scientists Have Had So Much Difficulty