Virion

Virion is a microscopic particle that contains genetic material and is the basis for the reproduction of viruses. It is the structural unit of the virus and its size is usually between 20 and 300 nanometers.

The virion consists of two main components: nucleic acid and capsid. Nucleic acid is the genetic material of the virus, which can be RNA or DNA. The capsid is the outer shell that protects the nucleic acid and allows the virus to enter host cells.

Virions can come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of virus. For example, HIV-1 has a spherical shape with a diameter of about 100 nm, and the influenza virus has an icosahedron shape with a diameter of about 80 nm.

When a host cell is infected, the virion releases its nucleic acid, which then enters the cell nucleus and begins to reproduce itself. This process is called transcription and translation. Transcription occurs when the nucleic acid of a virus copies itself, creating new RNA or DNA molecules, which are then used to create new virions. Translation occurs when these molecules are used to create proteins that are needed to assemble new virions and infect new cells.

Thus, the virion is an important element in the life of viruses, which ensures their reproduction and transmission from cell to cell. Virions are the structural unit of many viruses and play a key role in their life cycle.