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Wiki User
∙ 11y agoViruses usually prefer specific types of cells from specific animals or plants because their genetic makeup and the proteins that they have available to use to attach to and enter the cell to make it change its function and work for the virus instead of the host, are also specific for infecting those cells. They have evolved and mutated to have the ability to use those kinds of cells to replicate themselves based on compatible DNA/RNA and proteins.
Example:
Human influenza viruses attach to the cells of mucous tissue in the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems and do not have the ability to infect other types of tissue, like muscle tissue or nerve tissue. This is the reason our symptoms of the flu include effects on those specific respiratory and GI body systems. In the case of the flu (and cold viruses which also attach to those mucous tissue types) the symptoms include cough, nasal tissue inflammation and congestion, sore throats and bronchitis, all associated with the infected cells of the respiratory system and the flu sometimes causes diarrhea and vomiting when the GI cells are involved. These cells have their usual function for the host disrupted by the virus' genetic instructions, and then are destroyed when the virus opens the cell to release the newly made virions. Other examples are sexually transmitted viruses (STDs), like HIV, that attaches to enter tissues of the reproductive and/or urological systems (and then later the immunological system is affected), and shingles viruses (aka "Herpes Zoster") attach to nerve cells, etc.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agobecause of the lock-and-key action of a virus
Wiki User
∙ 14y agofalse
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoFalse
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Are viruses general or specific to the cells that they infect?
viruses are specific to the cells they infect called host cells
How do viruses attache themselves host cells?
Viruses have to attach them selves by way of a protein called a recognition factor. They bind to receptors on the host cell and then lose their capsid (coat).
What is the part of the cell that viruses invade?
Viruses can infect animals, plants and bacteria, and the attachments vary. In animal viruses: Animal cells have a cell membrane. Viruses attach to certain proteins in that membrane. In plant viruses: Plants can also be infected with viruses. Since they have cell walls, viruses attach to those when infecting plants. In bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria): Special viruses called bacteriophages attach to the cell walls of bacteria by way of proteins.
Why is protein synthesis important for cells and viruses?
Protein synthesis is important for viruses because the virus forces the host cell to make proteins that the cell does not need, but the virus does to repoduce. Protein synthesis is important for cells because the proteins are essential for all cellular activites.
Viruses can reproduce only inside what?
host cells!
Are viruses general or specific to the cells that they infect?
viruses are specific to the cells they infect called host cells
How do viruses attach themselvs to host cells?
Viruses have to attach them selves by way of a protein called a recognition factor. They bind to receptors on the host cell and then lose their capsid (coat).
How do viruses attache themselves host cells?
Viruses have to attach them selves by way of a protein called a recognition factor. They bind to receptors on the host cell and then lose their capsid (coat).
What is the part of the cell that viruses invade?
Viruses can infect animals, plants and bacteria, and the attachments vary. In animal viruses: Animal cells have a cell membrane. Viruses attach to certain proteins in that membrane. In plant viruses: Plants can also be infected with viruses. Since they have cell walls, viruses attach to those when infecting plants. In bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria): Special viruses called bacteriophages attach to the cell walls of bacteria by way of proteins.
What is the pathogen attacks specific cells and injects genetic materials?
Viruses attach specific cells and inject genetic material. There are viruses called bacteriophages that infect bacteria be injecting their genetic material into the bacterial host and invading their protein machinery. With animal viruses that infect animal cells (much larger than bacteria), the virus either injects genetic material OR gets into the cell whole before it begins to unleash its pathogenic effects
Some viruses have special molecules on their capsids. what function do these molecules perform?
Molecules preform a few functions. The most important function is to layer the cells.
Why do viruses kill?
Your host cells in your body.
Why is protein synthesis important for cells and viruses?
Protein synthesis is important for viruses because the virus forces the host cell to make proteins that the cell does not need, but the virus does to repoduce. Protein synthesis is important for cells because the proteins are essential for all cellular activites.
Viruses can reproduce only inside what?
host cells!
How do some viruses trick cells into letting them in?
How do some voruses trick cells into letting them in
What is a host cell for a virus?
Host cells of viruses include human and other animals, and plants and fungi. Also bacteria and protozoa and algae are host cells of viruses.
Is there a difference with viruses and cells?
Yes there is a difference. Viruses are non-living and cells are living This is because Viruses can't reproduce on their own without a host. They don't have a metabolism like cells. They can't maintain homeostasis. They cannot synthesize proteins (they lack the ribosomes to do so) without a host. Without a host viruses can neither generate nor store ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Viruses cannot live unless they have a host.
