What is a viral envelope?
Q: What is a viral envelope?
A: A viral envelope is the outermost layer of a virus that protects it when it moves between host cells as part of its life-cycle.
Q: Do all viruses have envelopes?
A: No, not all viruses have envelopes.
Q: What are viral envelopes made of?
A: Viral envelopes are made from parts of the host cell membranes (phospholipids and proteins), but also include some viral glycoproteins.
Q: How do glycoproteins on the surface of the envelope help the virus identify and bind to receptor sites on the host's membrane?
A: Glycoproteins on the surface of the envelope help the virus identify and bind to receptor sites on the host's membrane by acting as markers that identify the specific host cell type.
Q: What happens when the viral envelope fuses with the host's membrane?
A: When the viral envelope fuses with the host's membrane, the virus genome enters and infects the host.
Q: Do all enveloped viruses have a capsid?
A: No, not all enveloped viruses have a capsid, but some do.
Q: Are enveloped viruses easier or harder to sterile than non-enveloped viruses?
A: Enveloped viruses are easier to sterile than non-enveloped viruses because their lipid bilayer envelope is sensitive to desiccation, heat, and detergents.
