BRAINCAKEViral Diseases
A virus is a non-living, acellular particle that can only reproduce inside a living host cell, so all viruses are obligate intracellular parasites. A virus particle (virion) consists of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protein coat called the capsid. Some viruses, such as influenza and HIV, also have a lipid envelope taken from the host cell surface membrane, studded with viral glycoproteins.
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Key terms in this lesson
- glycoprotein
- A protein with carbohydrate chains attached to it, often found on cell surfaces or viral envelopes, where it can act as an antigen or receptor.
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All 17 lessons in Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics