The ability of some microbes,such as Trypanosoma or Giardia to alter their surface molecules and evade destruction by the host's antibodies is called
A)antigenic variation.
B)lysogenic conversion.
C)virulence.
D)cytopathic effect.
E)cytocidal effect.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antigenic variation is the ability of some microbes to change the molecules on their surface, such as proteins or carbohydrates, in order to avoid detection and destruction by the host's immune system. This is how Trypanosoma and Giardia can evade the host's antibodies and continue to cause infection. Lysogenic conversion refers to the incorporation of viral DNA into a host cell's genome, virulence refers to the ability of a microbe to cause disease, and cytopathic/cytocidal effects refer to the damage a microbe can cause to host cells. None of these options accurately describe the ability of Trypanosoma or Giardia to evade the host's immune system through antigenic variation.

The Ability of Some Microbes,such as Trypanosoma or Giardia to Alter