Question

Part 1 (1 point)See Hint The virus particle is coated in antibodies, but underneath those antibodies is still a viable pathogen. Why do we NOT have to worry about this virus infecting our cells anymore?

Choose one:

A. The antibodies are blocking the viral pores so it cannot absorb nutrients from its environment. This will eventually kill the pathogen.

B. The antibodies will stimulate a pathway that will cause the virus to self-destruct.

C. The antibodies cover the parts of the virus that allow it to bind to cells, so it can no longer get into a host cell and replicate.

D. The antibodies are caustic and are forming holes in the viral capsid, which will destroy the pathogen.

Part 2 (1 point)See Hint Why will these antibodies NOT protect us the next time we get a cold (are exposed to a rhinovirus)?

Choose one:

A. The next virus may be able to reproduce without getting into a host cell, which makes the antibodies useless against it.

B. Antibodies last only a short time in the body, so by next year they will all be gone and we will be able to catch a cold again.

C. We will use them all up eliminating this viral infection, and there will not be enough in the body to protect us from the next viral infection.

D. Viruses mutate quickly, so the next virus will have slightly different epitopes and the same antibodies will not be able to bind to them.

Answer 1

1. (c) The antibodies cover the parts of the virus that allow it to bind to cells, so it can no longer get into a host cell and replicate. Once blocked by the antibodies the virus loses its ability to bind to the host cells and is unable to infect the host cell.

2. (d) Viruses mutate quickly, so the next virus will have slightly different epitopes and the same antibodies will not be able to bind to them. The rate of mutation of viruses is very high and therefore the antibodies will not recognize the same epitope the next time the virus is encountered.