What is the host range of a virus?

A virus’ host range is the range of cell types and host species a virus is able to infect.

Which plant virus has the widest host range?

For example, CMV (Bromoviridae) is an important plant pathogen with the widest host-range of all known plant viruses, and worldwide distribution. The virus is transmitted by no less than 60 different species of aphids, or via seeds or dodder.

Are plant viruses host specific?

Viruses are not active outside of their hosts, and this has led some people to suggest that they are not alive. All types of living organisms including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria are hosts for viruses, but most viruses infect only one type of host.

How does a virus have a host range?

– Viruses have a host range . That is, viruses infect specific cells or tissues of specific hosts, or specific bacteria, or specific plants. – Viral specificity refers to the specific kinds of cells a virus can infect. – Viruses are not cells, do not have nuclei or mitochondria or ribosomes or other cellular components.

What kind of virus is a plant virus?

Plant virus. Plant viruses are viruses that affect plants. Like all other viruses, plant viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that do not have the molecular machinery to replicate without a host. Plant viruses can be pathogenic to higher plants.

How does a virus enter a plant cell?

Viruses that affect animals typically enter the cells by simply passing through the cell membranes. But, because plants have tough cell walls, viruses that affect plants need a wound in order to enter the cell. A wound can happen naturally, like when roots branch, or they can be introduced when a plant is damaged by nematodes, insects, or pruning.

What kind of virus does a tomato plant have?

Tomato spotted wilt virus causes yellow or brown rings to form on tomato plant leaves and/or fruit, wilting, and sometimes lopsided growth. It also affects tobacco, pepper, watermelon, impatiens, gloxinia, and other ornamentals. Cucumber mosaic virus can cause a range of symptoms from a mild mosaic to severe deformation and stunting.