What is the Difference Between Enveloped and Nonenveloped Viruses?

Enveloped and non-enveloped viruses are two types of viruses that differ in their structure and properties. The main differences between them are:

1. Structure: Enveloped viruses have an outer membrane that surrounds the capsid, while non-enveloped viruses do not have this extra lipid membrane.
2. Virulence: Non-enveloped viruses are typically more virulent than enveloped viruses. This is because they usually cause host cell lysis, which is the process of breaking down the cell membrane and causing cell death.
3. Stability: Enveloped viruses are less stable outside the human body and are typically transmitted through body fluids. In contrast, non-enveloped viruses are more stable and can be transmitted through various mechanisms, such as the fecal-oral route.
4. Resistance to disinfectants: Enveloped viruses are generally easier to kill with disinfectants, as their phospholipid layer can be broken down. Once the protective envelope is destroyed, the virus is no longer able to reproduce. Non-enveloped viruses, on the other hand, are more resistant to disinfectants due to their tough capsid layer, which allows them to survive under harsher conditions.
5. Survival on inanimate surfaces: Enveloped viruses are more sensitive than non-enveloped viruses when exposed to certain environmental conditions, such as drying. For example, influenza A virus (H1N1), an enveloped virus, persisted for 5 days and remained infectious after 8 cycles of iterative drying, while coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4), a non-enveloped virus, persisted for 5 weeks under the biosafety cabinet and was fully inactivated by 4 cycles of iterative drying.

Examples of enveloped viruses include HIV, influenza viruses, and Ebola virus, while examples of non-enveloped viruses include norovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, and rhinovirus.

Comparative Table: Enveloped vs Nonenveloped Viruses

Here is a table comparing the differences between enveloped and nonenveloped viruses:

Enveloped viruses are characterized by a lipid bilayer surrounding the protein capsid, making them more sensitive to disinfectants and environmental factors. On the other hand, nonenveloped viruses lack this lipid bilayer, making them more resistant to harsh conditions and more virulent than enveloped viruses.