In: Biology
Virus are the smaller noncellular molecules with DNA or RNA as genetic material enclosed in a coat protein. Stucture of a virus varies depending upon size, shape and chemical composition but all the viruses have a nucleocapsid which contains DNA or RNA surrounded by a coat protein.
The coat protein or the capsid protects the viral genome from endonuclease during pathogenesis. Some viruses contain a membranous envelope besides the nucleocapsid.
Envelope containing viruses contains glycoproteins called spikes.
Viral genomes may consist DNA or RNA either double stranded or single stranded.
Fig1 is a structure of a typical virus with nucleocapsid , envelope , viral genome , viral tegument or viral matrix which contains proteins for viral replication.
Fig 2 is a structure of a HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. It is a enveloped virus and the envelope contains spikes made up of glycoprotein , this glycoproteins work as a receptor for CD4 for the host cell.