What is the origin of the phospholipid membrane that envelops many animal viruses?

• A. It is produced by viral enzymes and contains only viral proteins and phospholipids.
• B. It is assembled from free phospholipids floating in the cell's cytoplasm.
• C. It is "stolen" from the host cell and contains only host cell proteins and phospholipids.
• D. It is assembled in the ER based on signals sent out by the viral genome.
• E. It is "stolen" from the host cell, but it contains some proteins encoded by the viral genome.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that many animal viruses have a phospholipid membrane, also known as an envelope, which surrounds their capsid.
2. Recognize that this envelope is not synthesized by the virus itself but is derived from the host cell's membrane.
3. The process involves the virus budding off from the host cell, during which it acquires a portion of the host's lipid bilayer.
4. While the phospholipid component of the envelope is derived from the host, the virus incorporates its own proteins into this membrane.
5. These viral proteins are encoded by the viral genome and are crucial for the virus's ability to infect new host cells.