Most enveloped viruses are which of the following?

• A. Composed only of protein and nucleic acid, without a lipid layer
• B. Sensitive to detergents and desiccation
• C. Resistant to heat and chemical disinfectants
• D. Able to survive on dry surfaces for long periods

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of enveloped viruses: they have a lipid bilayer envelope surrounding their protein capsid and nucleic acid core.
2. Recognize that the lipid envelope makes these viruses more vulnerable to agents that disrupt lipids, such as detergents and drying (desiccation).
3. Recall that non-enveloped viruses lack this lipid layer, making them generally more resistant to harsh conditions like detergents and drying.
4. Analyze each option in the question by comparing it to the known properties of enveloped viruses, focusing on their sensitivity or resistance to environmental factors.
5. Conclude that enveloped viruses are typically sensitive to detergents and desiccation due to their lipid envelope, which is disrupted by these agents.