Question

Ways in which interferon alpha and beta combat viral infections? (5)

A) Inducing apoptosis, inhibiting protein synthesis, activating NK cells, enhancing antigen presentation, promoting antibody production
B) Inhibiting viral replication, activating cytotoxic T cells, blocking viral entry, inducing apoptosis, enhancing antigen presentation
C) Inhibiting viral replication, activating NK cells, promoting antibody production, inducing autophagy, blocking viral entry
D) Activating cytotoxic T cells, inducing autophagy, enhancing antigen presentation, promoting antibody production, inhibiting viral entry

Answer 1

Interferons are proteins that help combat viral infections by inhibiting viral replication, activating immune cells like NK and cytotoxic T cells, and inducing apoptosis in infected cells. They also enhance antigen presentation, a key factor in the immune system's ability to recognize infected cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interferon alpha and beta combat viral infections in several ways. They work primarily by inhibiting viral replication, which limits the ability of the virus to spread and take over host cells. Interferons also play a crucial role in activating immune cells, such as cytotoxic T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, which are important for directly targeting and eliminating infected cells.

In addition to these mechanisms, interferons induce apoptosis in infected cells, which is a process of programmed cell death that helps prevent the virus from replicating further. Moreover, interferons enhance antigen presentation, which is crucial for the immune system to recognize and respond to virus-infected cells. While interferons aid in the immune response to viruses, their ability to completely eliminate the virus is limited without the aid of other immune cells, such as cytotoxic T cells, which are vital in overcoming viral infections, especially when no vaccine is available.