5 concepts
Discovery and Detection of Viruses
Viruses are infectious particles about 100 times smaller than bacteria and can only be observed by electron microscopy.
Nature of the Virion
A virion is a complete viral particle consisting of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein shell, constituting the infective form of a virus.
Viral Genomes
The viral genome is the complete genetic complement contained in a DNA or RNA molecule in a virus.
Host Range
A virus' host range is the range of cell types and host species a virus is able to infect.
Viral Size
Most viruses range in size from 5 to 300 nanometers (nm), although some Paramyxoviruses can be up to 14,000 nm long.