NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A virus is made up of a DNA or RNA genome inside a protein shell called a capsid.

Detailed explanation-2: -A virus is made up of a core of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protective coat called a capsid which is made up of protein. Sometimes the capsid is surrounded by an additional spikey coat called the envelope.

Detailed explanation-3: -Each virus also possesses a virus attachment protein embedded in its outer-most layer. This will be found in the capsid, in the case of a naked virus, or the envelope, in the case of an enveloped virus.

Detailed explanation-4: -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.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.