Chapter 18.2, Problem 6MI

Summary Introduction

To explain:

The reason that many viruses cannot pass from one species to another.

Introduction:

Viruses are very small parasites that do not have the ability to flourish and imitate outside of a host body.

Explanation of Solution

Unique adaptations of virus and inability to mutate outside organism makes the virus incapable of changing species.

The virus attaches to the host cell using specific receptors on the plasma membrane of the host. Different types of organisms have receptors for different types of viruses, limiting transmission between species.