Characteristics of a virus
Classification of viruses is based on type of nucleic acid, strategy for replication, and morphology.
Viruses are different from anything else found on earth and are mainly characterized by their size, shape, and half alive/half dead existence. The big difference between viruses and all else, is that fact that viruses are so small they can not be viewed without the help of an electron microscope. This is because viruses are, on average, smaller than a regular wavelength of visible light. In effect, the viruses can hide between light waves, thus making them colorless. They can not be seen by the naked eye or a regular microscope. Viruses are so small in fact, that the largest virus is equal in size to the smallest bacteria. The smallest virus measures only 20 nanometers in length. Because of their incredibly small size, viruses are extremely hard to study and understand.
Viruses vary widely in shape. Some are round, while some are rod-shaped. Other viruses are shaped like bricks, threads, or bullets. Some are even complicated robot-like shapes.
Viruses are different from anything else found on earth and are mainly characterized by their size, shape, and half alive/half dead existence. The big difference between viruses and all else, is that fact that viruses are so small they can not be viewed without the help of an electron microscope. This is because viruses are, on average, smaller than a regular wavelength of visible light. In effect, the viruses can hide between light waves, thus making them colorless. They can not be seen by the naked eye or a regular microscope. Viruses are so small in fact, that the largest virus is equal in size to the smallest bacteria. The smallest virus measures only 20 nanometers in length. Because of their incredibly small size, viruses are extremely hard to study and understand.
Viruses vary widely in shape. Some are round, while some are rod-shaped. Other viruses are shaped like bricks, threads, or bullets. Some are even complicated robot-like shapes.