Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The family Paramyxoviridae consists of enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses.
Their envelope contains surface glycoprotein spikes that mediate attachment to the host cell and fusion with the host cell membrane.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
- Statement I: The statement asserts that the envelope spikes of all paramyxoviruses are composed of Fusion (F) protein and Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins. While all paramyxoviruses possess the F protein, the attachment protein varies by genus. Some genera utilize the HN glycoprotein (such as Respirovirus and Avulavirus), but others have different glycoproteins. For example, Morbilliviruses (like Canine Distemper Virus) use a Hemagglutinin (H) protein lacking neuraminidase activity, and Henipaviruses (like Nipah virus) use an attachment Glycoprotein (G) that lacks both hemagglutinating and neuraminidase activities. Therefore, Statement I is false.
- Statement II: The Fusion (F) glycoprotein is a class I viral fusion protein. It undergoes conformational changes that insert a hydrophobic fusion peptide into the host cell membrane, mediating pH-independent fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane of the host cell. Therefore, Statement II is true.
Step 2: Final Answer:
Statement I is false, and Statement II is true, which corresponds to Option (D).