[Campbell Biology P.650] According to the text, which unique strategy does Trypanosoma emplo... | Practice Question

According to the text, which unique strategy does Trypanosoma employ to evade the host's immune system, and what structural basis allows this strategy?

  • A: By rapidly producing new flagella; its flagella have variable protein compositions.
  • B: By hiding within red blood cells; it uses an intracellular lifecycle.
  • C: By undergoing frequent changes in its surface protein structure; about a third of its genome is dedicated to producing these surface proteins.
  • D: By secreting immunosuppressive toxins; these toxins suppress the host's immune response directly.

Explanation

The text explicitly states that 'Frequent changes in the surface protein prevent the host from developing immunity' and 'About a third of Trypanosoma's genome is dedicated to producing these surface proteins.' This highlights its unique strategy of antigenic variation.