Question

in the example of host manipulation involving a plant and a virus, the changes benefited the virus because a. the odour of the infected plant makes it less attractive to the vector. b. the plant was a better food source for the vector. c. the infected plant survived better, regardless of the ecological conditions. d. the odour of the infected plant makes it more attractive to the vector.

Answer 1

The virus benefits from host manipulation by making the infected plant emit an odor that attracts vectors, aiding in its transmission.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the example of host manipulation involving a plant and a virus, the changes benefited the virus because d. the odour of the infected plant makes it more attractive to the vector. This type of manipulation is beneficial for the virus as it increases the likelihood of the virus being transmitted to other plants. When a virus infects a plant, it can cause changes that make the plant more appealing to vectors, such as specific insects, which then helps in spreading the virus through horizontal transmission. Conversely, a plant emitting an odor that repels the vector would not be advantageous for the virus, as it would reduce the chances of the virus spreading.