The slow accumulation of genetic changes to an influenza virus over time is referred to as

Antigenic drift refers to the slow accumulation of genetic changes to an influenza virus over time.

Explanation:

Antigenic drift is defined as the mechanism by which viruses undergo variation. This mechanism involves the slow accumulation of mutations in the viral genes, that are responsible for coding the antibody binding sites. This leads to the formation of a new strain of virus, which can't be inhibited by the old antibodies. Due to this, the virus can easily spread the disease.

The antigenic drift occurs in the influenza A virus and also the influenza B viruses.

Therefore, Antigenic drift refers to the slow accumulation of genetic changes to an influenza virus over time.          

fertilization, pictured in figure 24.23a is the process in which gametes (an egg and sperm) fuse to form a zygote. the egg and sperm each contain one set of chromosomes. to ensure that the offspring has only one complete diploid set of chromosomes, only one sperm must fuse with one egg. in mammals, the egg is protected by a layer of extracellular matrix consisting mainly of glycoproteins called the zona pellucida. when a sperm binds to the zona pellucida, a series of biochemical events, called the acrosomal reactions, take place. in placental mammals, the acrosome contains digestive enzymes that initiate the degradation of the glycoprotein matrix protecting the egg and allowing the sperm plasma membrane to fuse with the egg plasma membrane, as illustrated in figure 24.23b. the fusion of these two membranes creates an opening through which the sperm nucleus is transferred into the ovum. the nuclear membranes of the egg and sperm break down and the two haploid genomes condense to form a diploid genome.

explanation: