What makes up the core of a virus?

What makes up the core of a virus?

A virus is made up of a core of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protective coat called a capsid which is made up of protein. Sometimes the capsid is surrounded by an additional spikey coat called the envelope. Viruses are capable of latching onto host cells and getting inside them. H3N2 influenza virus particles, coloured …

What kind of particle is a virus made of?

A single, fully assembled, infectious virus particle is called a virion. Viruses strive to be as simple as possible while still maintaining their basic function, a concept that scientists call genetic economy.

How are viruses unique to other living things?

They are unique because they are only alive and able to multiply inside the cells of other living things. The cell they multiply in is called the host cell. A virus is made up of a core of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protective coat called a capsid which is made up of protein.

What’s the difference between a virus and a bacteria?

Viruses are sometimes confused with another family of germs: bacteria. But viruses are much, much smaller. Think of a virus as a tiny package jacketed in a protein covering. Inside is either DNA or RNA.

What is the scariest virus?

Petya is the scariest computer virus yet for Microsoft Windows users. Here’s what to do about it. A fast-moving, international computer virus called Petya is taking down corporate networks that run mainly on Microsoft Windows software.

What is the world’s most deadliest virus?

The Marburg virus is considered the deadliest virus in the world, with a body count that will likely give any sane person the heeby-jeebies. Marburg is deadly because it takes its cues from its sister virus, ebola, in that the endgame is massive hemorrhaging and slow, agonizing, messy death.

What is the worst virus?

In the modern world, the deadliest virus of all may be HIV. “It is still the one that is the biggest killer,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and spokesman for the Infectious Disease Society of America .

Why virus are not living organisms?

Viruses are not considered living organisms because they are not composed of cells (the Cellular Theory of Life). Also, viruses cannot replicate independently-they must infect a living cell before their structure and genetic material can be reproduced and multiplied.

Where does the DNA in a virus come from?

A virus is made up of a DNA or RNA genome inside a protein shell called a capsid. Some viruses have an internal or external membrane envelope. Nice work! You just studied 8 terms!