Virus - Introduction

Description:

Virus is a nucleoprotein entity which is able to utilize the machinery of another living cell for its multiplication. The name virus means venom or poisonous fluid.

Study of virus is called virology.

Viruses and bacteriophages are much smaller than bacteria. They are made up of one the nucleic acids DNA or RNA (never both) and proteins. The genetic material is enclosed within a protective coat of protein. Virus causes diseases like mumps, small pox, herpes, influenza, AIDS etc.