Question

How do viruses know which host cell to attack?

Answer 1

Virus

1. A virus is a submicroscopic organism that can replicate only inside a compatible host cell.
2. Viruses have certain molecules on their surface that are called ligands.
3. These ligands bind to their cognate receptors present on the host cell membrane.
4. Viruses attack only those host cells where the ligand-receptor interaction is compatible.
5. On interaction with the host cell receptor, the virus gains entry inside the host cell and ultimately reaches the host cell nucleus to make progeny virions.