BRAINCAKEInfluenza
Influenza (flu) is caused by the influenza virus, an enveloped RNA virus. Its genome is single-stranded RNA split into eight separate segments, inside a protein capsid. This is surrounded by a lipid envelope taken from the host cell membrane.
Two glycoproteins project from the envelope:
• haemagglutinin (H), which binds to receptors containing sialic acid on the surface of the host cell, so the virus can attach and enter by endocytosis
• neuraminidase (N), an enzyme that cuts new virus particles free from the host cell so they can spread.
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Key terms in this lesson
- endocytosis
- The process by which a cell takes in material from outside by engulfing it within a vesicle formed from the cell surface membrane.
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All 17 lessons in Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics