Viruses

Viruses   Kingdom: Virus Common Name: Virus (Each species have its own common name) Appearance: Viruses are microscopic, spherical, filamentous, or rod-shaped entities having a diameter of 20-300 nanometers. The body of a virus called “Virion” is made of subunits called capsomeres consisting of protein. It also contains viral nucleic acid that distinguishes them from each other. Some viruses may be covered by a lipid envelope that helps in their transmission. Host Plants or Food: Viruses cannot reproduce outside a host body, which is why they are not considered living organisms. Any organism having viral receptors on its cell surface can be considered as a host. This includes all plants, animals, and bacteria. Territory: Throughout the world Mode of Damage:  They infect plants by multiplying in their bodies. Plant viruses usually take part in gall formation, Stem, and twig damage, draining the plant of its essential nutrients. Habits and Life History: Viruses are found everywhere without any distinction. Since they are acellular, there is no specific optimum condition. They do not reproduce by cell division rather by cell replication. The infected cell makes thousands of copies which are then released from the cell. The virus attaches to the viral receptors on the host surface, and the genome enters the host body to make copies of itself. The general mechanism for replication includes attachment, penetration, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release of virus from the host cell. The release of the virus may be thought lysis or budding. After its release, it enters a new cell and starts the cycle again.