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Compare the host range for the rabies virus to that of the human cold virus.

1) The host range for the rabies virus is wider than that of the human cold virus.
2) The host range for the rabies virus is narrower than that of the human cold virus.
3) The host range for the rabies virus is the same as that of the human cold virus.
4) Cannot be determined from the given information.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The rabies virus can infect any mammal, indicating a wide host range, whereas the human cold virus typically only infects humans, implying a narrower host range.

Step-by-step explanation:

The host range of a virus refers to the variety of species that the virus can infect. The rabies virus, which is a member of the rhabdovirus family, has a relatively wide host range; it can infect any mammal, which includes a variety of animals like bats, raccoons, dogs, cats, and humans. On the other hand, viruses that cause the common cold, such as rhinoviruses (members of the picornavirus family), typically have a narrower host range that is often limited to humans because they rely on specific cell-surface receptors that are not present in other species. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: 1) The host range for the rabies virus is wider than that of the human cold virus.

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