Hypothesize as to why coronaviruses may have glycoproteins in their membranes. What may be the purpose and function of these structures?

Viral glycoprotien play important role in virus entry to the cell and virus pathogenicity

They may help viruses avoid the host immune system. Glycoproteins on the surface of the envelope serve to identify and bind to receptor sites on the host's membrane.

Explanation:

Viral glycoproteins play important roles throughout the life cycle of coronaviruses. Viral glycoproteins interact with receptors on the host cell membrane and are required for penetration of the viral genome into cells by fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane or endosomal membrane

The viral glycoproteins participate in assembly of virions, and the intracellular location of viral glycoproteins may determine the location of Coronavirus budding. Viral glycoproteins on the surface of infected cells may permit fusion with adjacent cells, and may make the cell susceptible to immune cytolysis or cell-mediated cytotoxicity, or permit hemadsorption. Epitopes of viral glycoproteins may be recognized by neutralizing, non-neutralizing or hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies. Thus, elucidation of the structure and functions of Coronavirus glycoproteins is of central importance in understanding the replicative cycle and pathogenesis of coronaviruses.