What type of virus is known for its envelope structure?

An enveloped virus is characterized by a lipid membrane surrounding its protein coat. This envelope is derived from the host cell's membrane during the viral budding process and contains viral proteins essential for infecting host cells. The presence of this envelope allows the virus to enter host cells more readily, as it can fuse with cellular membranes.

In contrast, non-enveloped viruses lack this envelope and are typically more resistant to environmental stressors, such as heat and detergents, making them more stable in various conditions. Cylindrical viruses, while they may possess envelopes, primarily refer to their shape rather than their structural composition. Complex viruses can exhibit a variety of structures and may or may not have envelopes, depending on the specific virus in question.

Thus, the defining feature of enveloped viruses is their lipid membrane, which plays a crucial role in the process of infection, making the identification of enveloped viruses essential in the study of virology and infectious diseases.