How does the interferon response to an invading virus result in the infected cell undergoing apoptosis?

• A. Detection of viral RNA triggers the degradation of host RNA and stops translation which results in cell death.
• B. Detection of viral proteins inactivates the AVPs which triggers cells death.
• C. Detect of viral RNA ceases all functions of the cell and results in cell lysis and release of newly made viruses.
• D. Detection of viral proteins causes pores to form in the surface of the cell resulting in apoptosis.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of interferons: Interferons are proteins produced by host cells in response to viral infections. They play a crucial role in the immune response by interfering with viral replication and activating immune cells.
2. Recognize the detection mechanism: When a virus infects a cell, viral components such as RNA or proteins are detected by the host cell's immune sensors. This detection is crucial for initiating the interferon response.
3. Explore the action of antiviral proteins (AVPs): Interferons stimulate the production of antiviral proteins within the infected cell. These proteins can degrade viral RNA and inhibit protein synthesis, effectively halting viral replication.
4. Link to apoptosis: The degradation of host RNA and inhibition of translation can lead to cellular stress and damage. This stress can trigger apoptosis, a programmed cell death process, to prevent the spread of the virus.
5. Consider the outcomes: Apoptosis of the infected cell helps to contain the virus, preventing it from replicating and spreading to neighboring cells. This is a protective mechanism to limit viral infection.