In North America, coronaviruses have infected a large number of avian (bird) species. The viruses are closely related and all belong to the Deltacoronavirus genus.
Previously, these viruses infected only one species of wild songbird.
Suggest and explain how the viruses became able to infect other species of birds.
Name two techniques scientists may have used when analysing viral nucleic acids to determine that the viruses were closely related.
Determining the genome of these viruses could allow scientists to develop a vaccine. Explain how.
Describe how the B lymphocytes of a bird would respond to vaccination against this Deltacoronavirus.
You can assume that the B lymphocytes of a bird respond in the same way as B lymphocytes of a human. Do not include details of the cellular T-cell response in your answer.
