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Yes, all viruses need to bind to specific receptor molecules on the surface of target cells to initiate infection. Virus-receptor binding is highly specific, and this specificity determines both the species and the cell type that can be infected by a given virus.

In some well-studied cases, the virus-binding region on the receptor has been found to be unrelated to the receptor's normal cellular function.

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Why cant every virus infect every living cell?

Viruses can only infect specific cells that have the necessary receptors on their surface for the virus to attach to. Each virus is adapted to infect specific types of cells based on these interactions. This specificity limits the range of cells that a virus can successfully infect.


Are viruses general or specific to the cells that they infect?

viruses are specific to the cells they infect called host cells


Are viruses able to infect all cell?

No, viruses cannot infect all cells; they are specific to certain host organisms and cell types. Each virus has a specific set of host cells it can infect, determined by the presence of compatible receptors on the cell surface and the virus's mechanisms for entering the cell. This specificity means that while some viruses can infect a wide range of species, others are restricted to a particular host or cell type.


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.


How many different kinds of cells can any given virus infect?

A given virus can infect a limited range of cell types, often specific to certain hosts or tissues. This specificity is largely determined by the virus's surface proteins, which must match receptors on the host cell's membrane. For example, some viruses may infect only certain types of animal cells, while others may target specific plant or bacterial cells. Overall, the diversity of cells a virus can infect varies widely between different viruses.

Related Questions

Why are viruses so specific in the cell the infect?

Viruses have specific proteins on them which only binds to certain receptors, which are present in certain cell's plasma membrane.


Why cant every virus infect every living cell?

Viruses can only infect specific cells that have the necessary receptors on their surface for the virus to attach to. Each virus is adapted to infect specific types of cells based on these interactions. This specificity limits the range of cells that a virus can successfully infect.


Are viruses general or specific to the cells that they infect?

viruses are specific to the cells they infect called host cells


Are viruses general or highly specific to the cells they can infect?

Highly specific


Are viruses general or highly specific to the cell they infect?

Highly specific


What are most viruses highly specific to the cells they infect?

somehow


What are spikes on viruses made of?

Spikes on viruses are made up of proteins that are used to attach the virus to host cells. These proteins play a critical role in allowing the virus to enter and infect host cells by binding to specific receptors on the cell membrane.


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 are the viruses the infect bacteria called?

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria.


How do you infect others computers with viruses?

YOU don't infect other computers with viruses.


How many different kinds of cells can any given virus infect?

A given virus can infect a limited range of cell types, often specific to certain hosts or tissues. This specificity is largely determined by the virus's surface proteins, which must match receptors on the host cell's membrane. For example, some viruses may infect only certain types of animal cells, while others may target specific plant or bacterial cells. Overall, the diversity of cells a virus can infect varies widely between different viruses.


What are viruses that infect bacteria called?

the virus that infects bacteria is bacteriophage