difference in the structure of viruses and their uses
Viruses are small intracellular parasites that cannot self-reproduce. They either have RNA or DNA as genetic material. They are surrounded by a protective virus-coded protein coat called capsid. Because of the inability to reproduce, they direct the infected cells to produce more viruses. The nucleic acid can be single or double-stranded (Venkataraman, Savithri, & Murthy, 2018). This paper will explore the difference in the structure of viruses and their uses.
Viruses are classified according to their morphology, structure, and nomenclature. According to structure, we discuss the difference between icosahedral, helical, and complex viruses. Helical viruses have a capsid shape into a rod-shaped or filamentous structure. Helical capsids have a single type of protein subunit which is stacked around a central axis hence forming a helical structure. There is a central cavity that surrounds its nucleic acid. The viruses can be short or long. Also, according to how the capsomeres are arranged, these viruses can allow a lot of rigidity or a lot of flexibility (Venkataraman, Savithri, & Murthy, 2018). Icosahedral viruses have identical subunits that make up equilateral triangles arranged symmetrically. An icosahedral shape is the most efficient way of creating a hardy structure from many copies of a single protein. Finally, complex viruses have a capsid which is neither purely icosahedral nor helical. The capsid may have additional structures which include a protein tail and complex wall. The complex virus DNA codes proteins which aid in building viral capsid (Dimmock, Easton, & Leppard, 2016).
Viruses are not made of cells. This is because of the inability to grow, they cannot reproduce, and also they are unable to make energy for metabolism. They do not possess properties of living things (Koonin, & Starokadomsky, 2016). Additionally, viruses have both negative and positive effects on human life. Viruses cause several human diseases that are chronic and fatal. They cause pain and discomfort such as pain from cancer. However, some viruses have positive uses for humans. They help in gene therapy whereby the mutated genes are introduced to fight cancerous cells. Viruses are also used as vaccines because of their ability to live in the host system, therefore, preventing further infections (Rehermann, & Bertoletti, 2015).
In summary, viruses are obligate intracellular parasites containing DNA or RNA genome with a protein coating. They have different structures. They are not cells because they lack the properties of living things. They have both negative aspects and positive uses in human life.