Chapter 6.L2, Problem 2CT

(a)

Summary Introduction

To analyse:

The infectivity of enveloped viruses if they were prevented from budding.

Introduction:

Viruses comprise of a core of nucleic acids and a protective coating of capsid. In addition to these structures, enveloped viruses possess an envelope of membranous material. They invade and infect their host cells. Following replication and assembly in the host cells, these viruses bud off from the host cell and attack new cells.

(b)

Summary Introduction

To analyse:

If a lytic infection could be caused by injection of only the RNA of an influenza virus into a cell.

Introduction:

H5N2 virus infection caused a widespread and severe infection in millions of chicken and caused a great loss to poultry farms and food industry. The virus was named because of the presence of Hemagglutinin protein (H) that allows viruses to invade cells of the respiratory tract and the enzyme neuraminidase (N) that facilitates penetration of the virus in target cells by digesting mucus.