Search results
- DictionaryVi·rus/ˈvīrəs/
noun
- 1. an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host: "the hepatitis B virus"
- 2. a piece of code that is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.
Jun 18, 2024 · Virus, infectious agent of small size and simple composition that can multiply only in living cells of animals, plants, or bacteria. Viruses possess unique infective properties and thus often cause disease in host organisms. Learn about the history, types, and features of viruses.
A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Viruses are found in almost every ecosystem on Earth and are the most numerous type of biological entity.
Mar 29, 2023 · Viruses are small germs (pathogens) that can infect you and make you sick. They can infect humans, plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Each one infects only specific types of hosts. Viral infections in humans can cause no symptoms or make you extremely ill. Types of diseases they can cause include:
The meaning of VIRUS is any of a large group of submicroscopic infectious agents that are usually regarded as nonliving extremely complex molecules, that typically contain a protein coat surrounding an RNA or DNA core of genetic material but no semipermeable membrane, that are capable of growth and multiplication only in living cells, and that ...
Key points: A virus is an infectious particle that reproduces by "commandeering" a host cell and using its machinery to make more viruses. A virus is made up of a DNA or RNA genome inside a protein shell called a capsid. Some viruses have an external membrane envelope. Viruses are very diverse.
Aug 25, 2018 · A virus is a chain of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) which lives in a host cell, uses parts of the cellular machinery to reproduce, and releases the replicated nucleic acid chains to infect more cells.
A virus is an ultramicroscopic agent that can only reproduce in living cells and is spread through infection. Many viruses cause diseases as part of their reproduction process. Viruses are only 20 to 300 nanometers—so small that even microscopes can’t see them. Viruses are also very simple.
