What is the Main Structural Difference Between Enveloped and Nonenveloped

Question

What is the main structural difference between enveloped and nonenveloped viruses?
A)Enveloped viruses have their genetic material enclosed by a layer made only of protein.
B)Nonenveloped viruses have only a phospholipid membrane, while enveloped viruses have two membranes, the other one being a protein capsid.
C)Enveloped viruses have a phospholipid membrane outside their capsid, whereas nonenveloped viruses do not have a phospholipid membrane.
D)Both types of viruses have a capsid and phospholipid membrane; but in the nonenveloped virus the genetic material is between these two membranes, while in the enveloped virus the genetic material is inside both membranes.
E)Enveloped viruses are enclosed in a single phospholipid layer (not a bilayer), nonenveloped viruses do not have this envelope.

Accepted Answer

The main structural difference between enveloped and nonenveloped viruses is the presence or absence of a phospholipid membrane. Enveloped viruses have a phospholipid membrane outside their capsid, whereas nonenveloped viruses do not have a phospholipid membrane. Both types of viruses have a protein capsid surrounding their genetic material. Therefore, options A, B, D, and E are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the structural difference between enveloped and nonenveloped viruses.