Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites, which by definition contain either a RNA or DNA genome surrounded by a protective, virus-coded protein coat.

Feb 2, 2023 · What are viruses: learn what they look like, their characteristics, parts and structure described using a simple labelled picture, and how they reproduce

Apr 12, 2025 · Despite their microscopic size, viruses are surprisingly sophisticated in structure. At their core lies their genetic material—either DNA or RNA, but never both—housed inside a …

May 16, 2021 · A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that can only replicate inside living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all forms of life—animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and even …

Oct 13, 2025 · A virus particle is made up of genetic material housed inside a protein shell, or capsid. The genetic material, or genome, of a virus may consist of single-stranded or double …

Viruses come in many shapes and sizes, but these are consistent and distinct for each viral family. In general, the shapes of viruses are classified into four groups: filamentous, isometric …

This article introduces the composition of virus including viral genome structure, capsid structure, envelope structure and function, virus-like particles, tools for virus structure research and virus …

Viruses can be extremely simple in design, consisting of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat known as a capsid. The capsid is composed of smaller protein components referred to as …

Nov 1, 2025 · Viruses vary in their structure. A virus particle consists of DNA or RNA within a protective protein coat called a capsid. The shape of the capsid may vary from one type of …

Viruses have several common characteristics: they are small, have DNA or RNA genomes, and are obligate intracellular parasites. The virus capsid functions to protect the nucleic acid from …