Terminology

Terminology: Virus

Virus

Virus is a very small microorganism, comparing with bacterium or mold.

The basic structure of virus is nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) surrounded by film of capsid.

Some viruses are covered over with the film called envelop, which contains protein, fat, and lipid. Virus itself has not independent metabolic function; therefore it isn’t able to multiply but infecting living host cells can multiply (replicate).

                <Characteristics of each microorganism>

  Virus bacterium mold
Size 20~300nm 0.5~1μm 2~10μm
Biological Classification

DNA or RNA and protein (non-cellular organisms)

Microscopic spherical organisms involved in fermentation Multicellular eukaryote
Cell membrane and cell wall  ×
DNA and RNA One of them Both Both
Propagation

Do not multiply by itself. It infects the living host cells to multiply

Multiplies by
itself

Multiplies by itself

Pertaining to Virus

Related information

zeomic

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