Prove that most viruses infect only SPECIFIC host cells by giving specific example?
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ChatGPT
Jun 11
One example of a virus that infects only specific host cells is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV specifically targets and infects CD4+ T cells, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. The virus binds to the CD4 receptor on the surface of these cells and enters them to replicate and spread throughout the body.
HIV cannot infect other types of cells, such as muscle cells or nerve cells, because it requires the specific receptors and cellular machinery present in CD4+ T cells for successful infection. This specificity is what allows HIV to evade the immune system and establish a persistent infection in the body.
Overall, the example of HIV demonstrates that most viruses have evolved to infect only specific host cells, which is essential for their ability to replicate and cause disease in their hosts.
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Google Gemini AI
Jun 11
Proof: Most viruses infect only specific host cells because they have surface proteins that can only bind to specific receptors on the surface of those cells. For example, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can only infect cells that have the CD4 receptor, which is found on the surface of immune cells such as T cells and macrophages.
Specific Example: The influenza virus is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in humans. The influenza virus has a surface protein called hemagglutinin (HA), which binds to sialic acid receptors on the surface of respiratory cells. This binding allows the virus to enter the cell and infect it.
The influenza virus is highly specific for its host cells because the HA protein can only bind to sialic acid receptors that are found on the surface of respiratory cells. This specificity prevents the influenza virus from infecting other types of cells in the body, such as skin cells or stomach cells.
The specificity of viruses for their host cells is essential for their survival. If a virus could infect any type of cell, it would quickly be overwhelmed by the body's immune system. By infecting only specific cells, viruses can evade the immune system and establish an infection.