A capsid is the protein shell of a virus that encases and protects its genetic material. It plays a crucial role in the viral life cycle by facilitating the attachment and entry of the virus into host cells, as well as aiding in the assembly of new viral particles.

Capsid

capsid

A protein shell, often referred to as a capsid, is a protective layer that encases the genetic material of viruses, facilitating their stability and transmission. It is composed of protein subunits that self-assemble into a highly ordered structure, playing a crucial role in the infectivity and life cycle of the virus.

protein shell

Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside the living cells of organisms, often causing disease and playing a significant role in ecosystems and evolution. They consist of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat, and sometimes an additional lipid envelope, and are incapable of carrying out metabolic processes or reproducing independently.

virus

Genetic material is the molecular basis of inheritance, encoding the information necessary for the development, function, and reproduction of living organisms. It primarily consists of DNA and RNA, which carry genetic instructions in the form of sequences of nucleotides.

genetic material

The viral life cycle is the series of steps a virus undergoes to replicate within a host cell, involving attachment, entry, replication, assembly, and release. Understanding this cycle is crucial for developing antiviral strategies and therapies that can disrupt these processes and prevent viral propagation.

viral life cycle

When a virus wants to make you sick, it first has to stick to your cells and then get inside them. This is how it starts to make you feel unwell, by taking over your cells and making more of itself.

attachment and entry

Host cells are living cells in which a virus or other microorganism can replicate and produce progeny. They provide the necessary machinery and environment for the pathogen's replication, often at the expense of the host's normal cellular functions.

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