Which of the following is derived from the host by HIV?
Correct answer: A. Envelope
- A. Envelope
- B. RNA
- C. Reverse Transcriptase
- D. All of these
Explanation
The envelope of a virus is derived from the host cell's membrane during the process of viral budding. As enveloped viruses assemble inside the host cell, they acquire a portion of the host's lipid bilayer, which forms the outer envelope surrounding the viral capsid. Viral proteins, such as glycoproteins, are inserted into this membrane before or during budding, allowing the virus to recognize and attach to new host cells. Because the envelope is made from the host cell's own membrane, it helps the virus evade the immune system to some extent, but it also makes enveloped viruses more sensitive to detergents, heat, and drying compared to non-enveloped viruses.
Last updated