Virus Structure Flashcards
What is the outer coat of a virus called?
Viruses have an outer protein coat called a capsid.
In some viruses, what can the capsid be enclosed by?
In some viruses (e.g. the influenza virus) the capsid is enclosed in a complex outer membrane.
What does a complex outer membrane surround?
the capsid of some viruses
What is a capsid made of?
protein
What is inside the capsid filled with?
Inside the capsid is a nucleic acid: either DNA or RNA (never both).
What is important to note about the DNA or RNA (never both) that is inside the capsid of a virus?
In either case there are very few genes. Viruses contain from four to several hundred genes, unlike more complex organisms, which have tens of thousands of genes.
What do viral genes carry?
Viral genes carry instructions for the formation of new viruses.
What organelles do viruses not have? (3)
Viruses do not have ribosomes, mitochondria or other cytoplasmic organelles.
Can viruses carry out their own metabolic reactions?
They do not carry out any metabolic reactions on their own.
What do viruses require to carry out their limited number of reactions
They require the organelles and enzymes of a host cell to carry out their limited number of reactions.
