Viruses are microscopic organisms that can infect hosts, like humans, plants or animals. They’re a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Some viruses also have an envelope. Viruses can’t reproduce without a host. Some common diseases caused by viruses include the flu, the common cold and COVID-19.
Explanation:
What is a virus?
Viruses are small germs (pathogens) that can infect you and make you sick. They can infect humans, plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each one infects only specific types of hosts.
Viral infections in humans can cause no symptoms or make you extremely ill. Types of diseases they can cause include:
Respiratory illnesses.
Diarrhea and vomiting.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Skin conditions.
A virus is a small piece of genetic information in a “carrying case” — a protective coating called a capsid. Viruses aren’t made up of cells, so they don’t have all the equipment that cells do to make more copies of themselves. Instead, they carry instructions with them and use a host cell’s equipment to make more copies of the virus.
It’s like someone breaking into your house to use your kitchen. The virus brought its own recipe, but it needs to use your dishes, measuring cups, mixer and oven to make it. (Unfortunately, they usually leave a big mess when you finally kick them out.)
Viruses are also sometimes called “virions.”
Virus features
Viruses share some common features. Viruses:
Are made up of genetic material (RNA or DNA) and a protective protein coating (capsid).
Sometimes have another layer called an envelope around the capsid. Viruses without an envelope are called “naked viruses.”
Are similar to parasites — they need a host to reproduce. They’ll survive outside of a host until their capsid breaks down over time.
Are 100 to 1,000 times smaller than the cells in your body.
Typesofviruses
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.Orthopoxviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.Orthopoxviruses.Hepatitis viruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.Orthopoxviruses.Hepatitis viruses.There are also some viruses that have unique qualities, like retroviruses and oncoviruses.
Viruses are microscopic organisms that can infect hosts, like humans, plants or animals. They're a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Some viruses also have an envelope. Viruses can't reproduce without a host.
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Answer:
Viruses
Viruses are microscopic organisms that can infect hosts, like humans, plants or animals. They’re a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Some viruses also have an envelope. Viruses can’t reproduce without a host. Some common diseases caused by viruses include the flu, the common cold and COVID-19.
Explanation:
What is a virus?
Viruses are small germs (pathogens) that can infect you and make you sick. They can infect humans, plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each one infects only specific types of hosts.
Viral infections in humans can cause no symptoms or make you extremely ill. Types of diseases they can cause include:
Respiratory illnesses.
Diarrhea and vomiting.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Skin conditions.
A virus is a small piece of genetic information in a “carrying case” — a protective coating called a capsid. Viruses aren’t made up of cells, so they don’t have all the equipment that cells do to make more copies of themselves. Instead, they carry instructions with them and use a host cell’s equipment to make more copies of the virus.
It’s like someone breaking into your house to use your kitchen. The virus brought its own recipe, but it needs to use your dishes, measuring cups, mixer and oven to make it. (Unfortunately, they usually leave a big mess when you finally kick them out.)
Viruses are also sometimes called “virions.”
Virus features
Viruses share some common features. Viruses:
Are made up of genetic material (RNA or DNA) and a protective protein coating (capsid).
Sometimes have another layer called an envelope around the capsid. Viruses without an envelope are called “naked viruses.”
Are similar to parasites — they need a host to reproduce. They’ll survive outside of a host until their capsid breaks down over time.
Are 100 to 1,000 times smaller than the cells in your body.
Types of viruses
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.Orthopoxviruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.Orthopoxviruses.Hepatitis viruses.
Experts group viruses into categories — like family and genus — based on similar features, like size, shape and the type of genetic material they carry. Some common types of viruses that you might hear about include:Influenza viruses.Human herpesviruses.Coronavirus.Human papillomaviruses.Enteroviruses.Flaviviruses.Orthopoxviruses.Hepatitis viruses.There are also some viruses that have unique qualities, like retroviruses and oncoviruses.
Answer:
Viruses are microscopic organisms that can infect hosts, like humans, plants or animals. They're a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Some viruses also have an envelope. Viruses can't reproduce without a host.