Final answer:
Antigen processing and presentation is a way for viruses to infect cells. It involves the uptake of antigens by specialized cells and their display on the cell surface with MHC molecules. This allows the immune system to recognize and respond to foreign pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antigen processing and presentation is a way for viruses to infect cells.
Antigen processing and presentation involves the uptake of antigens by specialized cells, such as macrophages or dendritic cells. These antigens are then processed and displayed on the cell surface in conjunction with MHC molecules. This allows the immune system to recognize and respond to foreign pathogens, including viruses.
For example, when a virus infects a cell, it generates viral antigens that are presented on the cell surface with MHC class I molecules. This allows cytotoxic T cells to recognize and eliminate the infected cell.