Chapter 6.3, Problem 7AYP

Summary Introduction

To explain:

The importance of viral surface proteins, or spikes.

Concept introduction:

Both enveloped and naked viruses have proteins on their outermost surface which is also called a capsid. The capsid is made of the glycoproteins. These surface proteins may be involved in the synthesis of the envelope. When the envelope proteins put together with the glycoproteins of the capsid, then these proteins remain exposed outside of the envelope forming a protruding structure called “spikes”.