2007-05-02 12:10:12 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
A virus in a NONLIVING thing (at least my teacher says that) that is a "parasite". A virus can't live by itself, it must have a host to feed and "reproduce" in. Viruses reproduce by first getting inside a host's body. Then the virus hijacks one of the cells, gaining control of the cell's functions. The virus injeects its viral DNA or RNA into the cell, which then begins to mass produce the virus, until the cell bursts with the viruses spilling out.
A typical virus has an outer protein coat to connect to certain cells. Certain viruses can only connect to certain cells, because the protein "keys" can only fit in the corresponding cell "lock".
A virus also, of course, has its viral DNA or RNA to inject into the doomed cell.....
2007-05-02 12:17:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A virus is a very simple thing that has got some genetic material inside a capsid. It enters living cells and uses its genetic material to get the cell to make copies of the virus, it then leaves to infect other cells and carry on.
For an easy to understand account with diagrams see the Science Aid site: http://scienceaid.co.uk/biology/microorganisms/viruses.html
2007-05-03 08:03:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A virus is a piece of nucleic acid that is incapable of replicating itself but can usurp the replicating machinery of a host cell for its own reproduction. You can't really give a generic structure because the nucleic acid can be DNA or RNA, the virus can be naked, encapsulated, or enveloped. It depends on the virus.
2007-05-02 14:37:15 · answer #3 · answered by sdc_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any operating system you run will need AntiVirus, Malware Scanners, and a Firewall to ensure optimum protection. New viruses and spyware are developed every day. Even news agencies learned IE 8 is subjected to unauthorized access with a backdoor recently discovered. Apple is also subjected to viruses. Be sure you install a top notch protector like AVG/Avast/Norton/McAfee.
2016-05-19 01:36:33 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a nutshell, viruses are composed of nucleic acids--either DNA or RNA--surrounded by a protein coat. Check the reference for a more extensive discussion.
2007-05-02 12:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by Mark S, JPAA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Errrm...you forgot to do your biology homework didn't you...? :D
2007-05-02 12:15:10 · answer #6 · answered by Mark C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋