📖 what

What is a virus?

ScienceBiologyHealth

Quick Answer

A virus is a tiny infectious agent that can only reproduce inside a living cell. It sits at the boundary between living and non-living.

The Full Story

A virus is a microscopic package of genetic material — DNA or RNA — wrapped in a protein coat. On its own it is inert and cannot grow, move, or reproduce. To multiply it must hijack a living host cell, forcing that cell to make copies of the virus. This unusual nature places viruses on the border between living and non-living things. Viruses cause illnesses from the common cold to COVID-19, but many are harmless, and some even attack bacteria and are being explored as medical tools.

Key Facts

1.Viruses can only reproduce inside a host cell
2.They contain either DNA or RNA
3.Most viruses are far smaller than bacteria

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"What Is a Virus — Alive or Not?"