Final answer:
The immune system primarily relies on interferons and cytotoxic T cells to fight viral infections, whereas the concept of most anti-virus software relates to computer systems, not biological systems. Our immune responses, like interferons and cytotoxic T cells activities, and antiviral drugs are key to combating viral infections without damaging host cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most anti-virus software can remediate a system by blocking access to an infected file but not actually deleting it is not directly related to the understanding of the immune system's interaction with pathogens, particularly viral infections. Instead of anti-virus software, the body uses various immune responses to combat viral pathogens. For viral infections, the immune system predominantly relies on interferons and cytotoxic T cells. Interferons help by slowing down viral replication, while the cytotoxic T cells play a crucial role by killing infected cells to prevent the virus from completing its replicative cycle. The effectiveness of cytotoxic T cells is amplified through clonal expansion and their ability to target multiple cells. Pathogens do evolve mechanisms to evade the immune system, leading to continuous evolutionary warfare between pathogens and the human immune system. Additionally, treating viral infections often involves antiviral drugs, which work by inhibiting the virus by blocking the actions of one or more viral proteins, reducing symptoms without harming the host.