VIRION.NET: Virus graphics by Russell Kightley
VIRION.NET: Virus graphics by Russell Kightley
Description: VIRUS GRAPHICS by Russell Kightley Media
virus (1237) viral (382) virology (41) virion (4) virome (4) virologist (4) provirus (3) viral replication (3) viral life cycle (3)
VIRION.NET showcases viral graphics and animations created by Russell Kightley. A VIRION is a virus particle , the infectious "seed" that jumps from cell to cell.
Virions have a central CORE that houses their genetic material (the viral genome) stored as RNA or DNA. The core is protected by a protein shell or CAPSID . Capsids are often icosahedral, an icosahedron being the best way to enclose a volume using a limited number of identical elements. A membrane or ENVELOPE may also invest the virion. Virions vary is size and shape: some are simple icosahedra and others, like the bacteriophages, resemble lunar landing craft. Virions often have SPIKES or KNOBS , protein pr
There has been a paradigm shift in recent years, with a virus being regarded more as the infected cell (the VIROCELL of Patrick Forterre ), and the virions being its dispersed seeds. This view obviates the "Are viruses alive?" question, since virocells are clearly alive, and virions (what most of us think of when we hear the word virus) are simply seeds, inert packages of movable genes.
VIRION.NET: Virus graphics by Russell Kightley
VIRION.NET: Virus graphics by Russell Kightley