Viruses acquire envelopes around their nucleocapsids during which stage of the viral replication cycle?

• A. Attachment to the host cell
• B. Genome replication inside the host cell
• C. Assembly of viral components
• D. Release (budding) from the host cell

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the viral replication cycle stages: attachment, penetration, uncoating, genome replication, assembly, and release.
2. Recognize that the viral envelope is derived from the host cell membrane, which means the virus must interact with the host membrane to acquire it.
3. Identify that the envelope acquisition occurs when the nucleocapsid interacts with the host cell membrane during the process of exiting the cell.
4. Know that this process is called 'budding,' where the virus acquires its envelope by pushing through the host cell membrane, incorporating host lipids and viral glycoproteins.
5. Conclude that the stage where viruses acquire envelopes is during the release (budding) from the host cell, not during attachment, genome replication, or assembly.