Influenza (Flu) Viruses. The influenza A and B viruses that routinely spread in people (human influenza viruses) are responsible for seasonal flu epidemics each year. Influenza A viruses can be broken down into sub-types depending on the genes that make up the surface proteins. Over the course of a flu season, different types (A & B). Virions, single virus particles, are very small, about 20–250 nanometers (1 nanometer = 1/1,000,000 mm). These individual virus particles are the infectious form of a virus outside the host cell. Unlike bacteria (which are about 100 times larger), we cannot see viruses with a light microscope, with the exception of some large virions of the. The most popular hypothesis circulating within and beyond the scientific community is that viral infections enhance or elicit autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes. Indeed, viruses can injure β-cells and have been isolated in pancreatic tissues from diabetic patients.
A virus is a microscopic particle that can infect the cells of a biological organism.
Hence, the dsRNA virus constitutes a new strain of BmBRV1 and was named Bipolaris maydis botybirnavirus 1 strain BdEW220 (BmBRV1-BdEW220). BmBRV1-BdEW220 contains spherical virions that are 37 nm in diameter and consist of two dsRNA segments. 'The Virus particle's size is 1% of that of a single bacteria cell. That bacteria cell is less than 10% of the size of a human cell and that human cell's size is 10% of the diameter of a human hair. The most popular hypothesis circulating within and beyond the scientific community is that viral infections enhance or elicit autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes. Indeed, viruses can injure β-cells and have been isolated in pancreatic tissues from diabetic patients. However, accumulating evidence suggests that the opposite scenario, which is prevention or amelioration of type 1.
Viruses can only replicate themselves by infecting a host cell and therefore cannot reproduce on their own.
At the most basic level, viruses consist of genetic material contained within a protective protein coat called a capsid; the existence of both genetic material and protein distinguishes them from other virus-like particles such as prions and viroids.
They infect a wide variety of organisms: both eukaryotes (animals, fungi and plants) and prokaryotes (bacteria).
A virus that infects bacteria is known as a bacteriophage, often shortened to phage.
The study of viruses is known as virology, and those who study viruses are known as virologists.
It has been argued extensively whether viruses are living organisms.
Most virologists consider them non-living, as they do not meet all the criteria of the generally accepted definition of life.
They are similar to obligate intracellular parasites as they lack the means for self-reproduction outside a host cell, but unlike parasites, viruses are generally not considered to be true living organisms.
A primary reason is that viruses do not possess a cell membrane or metabolise on their own - characteristics of all living organisms.
Examples of common human diseases caused by viruses include the common cold, the flu, chickenpox and cold sores.
Serious diseases such as Ebola, AIDS, bird flu and SARS are all also caused by viruses.
Note: The above text is excerpted from the Wikipedia article 'Virus', which has been released under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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