Question

Where does the envelope surrounding animal viruses originated?

Answer 1

Envelope surrounding animal viruses is a Lipid bilayer membrane. It acquired from a host cell membrane when virus “buds” (plasma membrane) or passes through a membrane-bound organelle (such as the nucleus). The Composition of envelope resembles that of the cell membrane from which it came.

Some envelopes have spikes: Glycoproteins (proteins bound to carbohydrates) that stick out from the envelope. Spikes often are important for attachment to host cells

Enveloped viruses: Advantages

Membrane “looks” like cell, hides virus from the immune system.

Helps virus infect new cells by membrane fusion with a new host cell.

Enveloped viruses: Disadvantage

Enveloped viruses are fragile – Conditions that damage membranes, will damage the envelope (heat, freezing, pH change, lipid solvents, chemical disinfectants like chlorine & hydrogen peroxide).

Naked viruses are generally tougher