Why Is It a Good Strategy for a Microbe to Adhere

question 43

Multiple Choice

Why is it a good strategy for a microbe to adhere to a receptor that plays a critical function for a host cell?

• A) It ISN'T a good strategy-host cells could shift to a backup receptor and shut down production of the main receptor, preventing infection.
• B) If it's a receptor the cell MUST use, it doesn't have a backup system in place to switch to-so, even though it makes it susceptible to infection, it HAS to put that target out there. This benefits the microbe.
• C) Microbes want to evade detection and elimination by the immune system-the closer they can adhere to host cells, the less likely they are to trigger destructive immune responses. This would be similar to using a hostage as a shield in a police-standoff situation.
• D) It ISN'T a good strategy-by binding to receptors, microbes will be phagocytosed by cells and destroyed within them.