Virus and Virion
Is a Virion the Same as a Virus?
No, a virion is not the same as a virus, but the two terms are closely related. A virus is the entire infectious agent, while a virion is a specific form of the virus, representing the particle that can infect a host cell.
Why are Virions not Cells?
Virions are not considered cells because they lack the essential characteristics that define living cells and also due to their dependence on host cells for essential life processes.
Is the Virion the Nucleic acid of a Virus?
No, the virion refers to the complete, infectious viral particle and includes both the nucleic acid and the protein coat (capsid) that encases it.
Can a Virion have both DNA and RNA?
A virion generally contains either DNA or RNA, but not both. Based on the type of genetic material they carry, they are broadly categorized as DNA viruses or RNA viruses.
What is the Difference between Virion and Viroid?
Virions are complete viral particles with genetic material and a protein coat, infecting a wide range of organisms. Viroids, on the other hand, are small RNA molecules that specifically infect plants and do not have a protein coat.
Difference between Virus and Virion
The difference between virus and virion is that virus is the nucleoprotein particle whereas virion is the active, infectious form of the virus. A virus consists of genetic material encased by a protein capsid. It does not show any metabolic activity. Virion is the vector stage of a virus, which permits the transmission of a virus from one infected host cell to another.
Therefore, the virus is the intracellular phase whereas virion is the extracellular phase of the virus. Both virus and virion are two kinds of microscopic, obligatory parasites that are infectious. In this article, we will study the difference between a virus and a virion, what a virus is, the characteristics of a virus, what a virion is, and the similarities between a virus and virion.
Table of Content
- Difference Between Virus and Virion
- What is a Virus?
- What is a Virion?
- Similarities Between Virus and Virion
- Conclusion: Difference between Virus and Virion