Question

what are the main components common to all viruses

Answer 1

1. Capsid or Protein coat - a tough armor or protective envelope made up of proteins that is often packed tightly. For the virus, the protein coat protects the interior of the virus from the changes in the environment.

2. Genetic material - May be either DNA or RNA; the genetic material is like a blueprint which tells the host cell to make thousands of new virus parts and then assemble them into new viruses. If the genetic material is RNA, the virus is called a retrovirus. HIV is one of the most famous retroviruses! A retrovirus must transcribe its RNA into DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Once DNA is transcribed from the RNA template, the host cell starts making virus parts. If the genetic material inside the virus is already DNA, the cell immediately starts manufacturing virus parts.

3. Core - This is the space inside the virus that houses the genetic material and the proteins needed to insert it into the host's DNA. In a human cell, it would be considered the cytoplasm, but viruses do not contain organelles or cytoplasm.

4. Surface extensions - the are molecules which extend from the capsid and are the method the virus uses to communicate with and get inside host cells. gp 120, a surface protein on HIV, is the key it uses to get inside human cells.
http://chemistry.illinoisstate.edu/slweldo/keyForHIV/dreyfus/answerpage1all.html#anchor416991
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Answer 2

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