EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Attachment proteins of enveloped viruses are generally spike-like and extend from the surface of the virion allowing the attachment protein to serve as the first point of contact with the receptor on the plasma membrane [1].

Detailed explanation-2: -How viruses travel through the body. Once a virus gets into a host’s body, it travels along the surfaces of cells until its proteins begin to bind with receptors on the cells. The virus and the cells then fuse, allowing the DNA or RNA inside the virus to enter the cells, where it begins to reproduce.

Detailed explanation-3: -These proteins mediate two essential functions: attachment of the virion to the cell surface; and fusion of the viral envelope with a cell membrane, resulting in accession of the viral nucleocapsid containing the genome to the cellular cytoplasm. The membrane is acquired during viral assembly within an infected cell.

Detailed explanation-4: -Enveloped viruses (i.e., viruses with a lipid envelope) use a two-step procedure to release their genetic material into the cell: (i) they first bind to specific surface receptors of the target cell membrane and then, (ii) they fuse the viral and cell membranes.

Detailed explanation-5: -Surfaces can be contaminated directly by their contact with body secretions and fluids or indirectly through virus contaminated aerosol or other contaminated fomites.