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Viruses Viruses are non-cellular infectious agents consisting of a nucleic acid, a strand of DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein capsule (capsid). Since viruses cannot reproduce independently, they are not considered living. Viruses replicate using the host's metabolic processes and cellular components. The fact that viruses contain only one nucleic acid also sets them apart from living organisms, which contain both RNA and DNA. Additionally, viruses lack independent metabolism, movement, and growth, elements shared by all living organisms. Viruses are very complex chemicals that do not fit into the five kingdoms of classification. In sharp contrast to bacteria, viruses come in many shapes that are based on the structure of the capsid. Taxonomy and classification are, in part, based on these distinctions: polyhedral, helical, or binal. Classification is also based on size, nucleic acid, replication method, and the presence or absence of a viral envelope. Below is a list of viral profiles available on this website. Links will be updated regularly.
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A History of
Microbiology |
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Copyright
© 2003. All rights reserved. For questions, comments, or corrections, email: webmaster@historique.net Revised: 22.01.2003 |
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