A virus is an acellular, parasitic entity, that is challenging to classify in the kingdom of living organisms because it is not considered to be alive. It has no plasma membrane, internal organelles, nor metabolic processes. It cannot divide nor reproduce by itself. Instead, it infects a susceptible host cell and hijacks the host’s cellular machinery to produce more viruses. Viruses can cause significant illness in humans and can be challenging to treat due to their diversity and ability to mutate. Understanding the structure of viruses and gaining an appreciation for this diversity can help one to understand the premise behind many current antiviral drug therapies and treatments.
Breaking it Down: Parts of a Virus
Breaking it Down: Parts of a Virus
Breaking it Down: Parts of a Virus
A virus is an acellular, parasitic entity, that is challenging to classify in the kingdom of living organisms because it is not considered to be alive. It has no plasma membrane, internal organelles, nor metabolic processes. It cannot divide nor reproduce by itself. Instead, it infects a susceptible host cell and hijacks the host’s cellular machinery to produce more viruses. Viruses can cause significant illness in humans and can be challenging to treat due to their diversity and ability to mutate. Understanding the structure of viruses and gaining an appreciation for this diversity can help one to understand the premise behind many current antiviral drug therapies and treatments.