AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The simplest virions consist of two basic components: nucleic acid (single-or double-stranded RNA or DNA) and a protein coat, the capsid, which functions as a shell to protect the viral genome from nucleases and which during infection attaches the virion to specific receptors exposed on the prospective host cell.

Detailed explanation-2: -Viruses are composed of a nucleic acid, RNA or DNA-never both.-All viruses have a protein coat (capside) or shell that surrounds and protects the nucleic acid core.-Some viruses have a lipid envelope or membrane surrounding a nucleocapsid core. The source of the envelope is from the membranes of the host cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -There are all sorts of virus shapes and sizes. However, all virus particles have a protein coat that surrounds and protects a nucleic acid genome. This protein coat is called a capsid, and the instructions for making the protein subunits of the capsid are encoded in the nucleic acid genome of the virus.