In: Biology
Describe the function of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins in the structure of a virus.
Carbohydrates enables virus to enter cells i.e in the form of glycans to which they bind during initial steps of infection.The viruses host specific adaption ,is based on recogontion of carbohydrate molecules this is called tropism.
Lipids in endocytosis cellular lipid membranes are the first barrier to viral infection of the host cell and an important initial point of interaction for viruses.virus can sometimes exploit lipids to use them as viral receptors.Lipid act as direct and indirect viral receptors.Lipids act as entry and viral fusion cofactors.
Nucleic acids i.e DNA and RNA contain viral genetic material of virus whic is a permanent storage place for genetic information and gives virus infective capacity.
Proteins in virus helps in protection of genome,delivery of genome.They ensure effecient infecious cycle..They helps in transportation to intercellular sites of assembly.