AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In its infective form, outside the cell, a virus particle is called a virion. Each virion contains at least one unique protein synthesized by specific genes in its nucleic acid.

Detailed explanation-2: -A virus that is outside of a host cell is known as a virion. Not only are viruses microscopic, they are smaller than many other microbes, such as bacteria. Most viruses are only 20–400 nanometers in diameter, whereas human egg cells, for example, are about 120 micrometers in diameter, and the E.

Detailed explanation-3: -The virion, that is the complete infectious virus particle, includes a genome comprising one or a few molecules of either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a morphologically defined protein coat, the capsid; the capsid and the enclosed nucleic acid together constitute the nucleocapsid.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hence, the virion is also known as ‘nucleocapsid’. The main function of the capsid is to protect the viral genome. It also helps in attaching the virion to specific receptors on host cell during infection.

Detailed explanation-5: -Viral Structure. In the simpler viruses the virion consists of a single molecule of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat, the capsid; the capsid and its enclosed nucleic acid together constitute the nucleocapsid.