A cell infected by viruses may die due to the actions of interferons. The same result would occur WITHOUT interferon-any cell infected by a virus would die directly from the virus

Question

Is there any apparent benefit to the host organism from the interferon action?
A. No-interferon is just an evolutionary leftover from a much earlier form of antiviral activity. It has no function now.
B.
Yes-when the interferon acts on a virally infected cell, it shuts down protein production (which shuts down virus replication). Without interferon, virus will kill the cell eventually, but only after it has replicated many times over. Interferons may kill the host cell, but they will also prevent it from being used to replicate virus.

C. Yes-by killing host cells, you limit the number of cells that are available targets for viral infection. This is a good way of preventing viral infection.
D. No-viruses will replicate in cells regardless of the effects of interferons, so their action of killing the cell has no benefit to the host organism during the infection process.

Answer 1

B