Models of structure of the envelope of influenza virus.

Possible models of the structure of the influenza virus envelope are considered in terms of the known chemical composition. Models incorporating lipid in the form of a bimolecular leaflet are shown to be unlikely on geometrical grounds. A model having "inverted toadstool" protein units separated by spherical lipid micelles is favored, and is capable of explaining the appearance of the virus in the electron microscope and differences between normal and incomplete (von Magnus) forms of the virus.