Question

(A) In thinking about viruses,

(i) Gram positive bacteria and plant cells are not readily infected by enveloped viruses. Why?

(ii) Explain why viruses do not infect spores.  

(iii) Explain the following statement: "Antiviral chemicals have to target or prevent the early replication steps of a viral infection."

Answer 1

i) A membrane exterior to the surface of the virus derived from the membrane of the host cell
that contains phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates derived from the host membrane, in addition to proteins encoded by the viral genome is called as envelope. Viruses acquire envelopes by budding through host membranes. When viruses begin to exit cell, the cell wall is destroyed, and host membranes rupture as a result their is no membrane though which the remaining viruses must bud; they escape in a lytic explosion. Thus gram positive bacteria and plant cells are usually infected by naked viruses.

Felt great to answer. Good luck!