VIRION Meaning and
Definition
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A virion is a distinct and complete viral particle that represents the extracellular form of a virus. It is the infectious form of the virus that is capable of initiating an infection within a host organism. A virion consists of a nucleic acid genome, which can be either DNA or RNA, that is surrounded and protected by a protein coat called the capsid. The capsid is composed of multiple repeating subunits called capsomeres, which come together to form a geometrically symmetrical structure.
Virions vary in size, shape, and structure depending on the type of virus they belong to. Some virions have an envelope, which is a lipid membrane derived from the host cell's plasma membrane or other membranes. The envelope may contain viral proteins known as spikes or peplomers that facilitate the attachment of the virion to specific host cell receptors.
Virions are formed through the replication and assembly processes within infected host cells. Once released from the infected cell, virions can be transmitted from one organism to another through various means, such as respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, or direct contact. The initiation of infection occurs when the virion attaches to a specific receptor on the surface of a susceptible host cell and delivers its genetic material into the cell.
Understanding the structure and function of virions is crucial for studying viral diseases, developing effective vaccines, and designing antiviral therapies to combat infections caused by viruses.
Common Misspellings for VIRION
Etymology of VIRION
The word "virion" is derived from the Latin word "virus", which means "poison" or "slimy liquid". It was initially used in the field of virology to denote the complete infectious viral particle that is composed of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat known as the capsid. The term "virion" was first introduced in the early 1950s to distinguish the fully assembled viral particle from other forms of viral nucleic acids or proteins. Over time, it has become widely accepted and used in virology to refer to a complete and infectious viral particle.
Similar spelling word for VIRION
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