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Past systems of classification

Viruses are classified in several ways: by factors such as their core content ( [link] and [link] ), the structure of their capsids, and whether they have an outer envelope. The type of genetic material (DNA or RNA) and its structure (single- or double-stranded, linear or circular, and segmented or non-segmented) are used to classify the virus core structures.

Virus Classification by Genome Structure and Core
Core Classifications Examples
  • RNA
  • DNA
  • Rabies virus, retroviruses
  • Herpesviruses, smallpox virus
  • Single-stranded
  • Double-stranded
  • Rabies virus, retroviruses
  • Herpesviruses, smallpox virus
  • Linear
  • Circular
  • Rabies virus, retroviruses, herpesviruses, smallpox virus
  • Papillomaviruses, many bacteriophages
  • Non-segmented: genome consists of a single segment of genetic material
  • Segmented: genome is divided into multiple segments
  • Parainfluenza viruses
  • Influenza viruses
Part a (top) is an illustration of the rabies virus, which is bullet-shaped. RNA is coiled inside a capsid, which is encased in a matrix protein-lined viral envelope studded with glycoproteins. Part a (bottom) is a micrograph of a cluster of bullet-shaped rabies viruses. Part b (top) is a micrograph of variola virus, which has DNA encased in a bow-shaped capsid. An oval matrix protein-lined envelope surrounds the capsid. Part b (bottom) shows irregular, bumpy lesions on the arms and legs of a person with smallpox.
Viruses are classified based on their core genetic material and capsid design. (a) Rabies virus has a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) core and an enveloped helical capsid, whereas (b) variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, has a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) core and a complex capsid. Rabies transmission occurs when saliva from an infected mammal enters a wound. The virus travels through neurons in the peripheral nervous system to the central nervous system where it impairs brain function, and then travels to other tissues. The virus can infect any mammal, and most die within weeks of infection. Smallpox is a human virus transmitted by inhalation of the variola virus, localized in the skin, mouth, and throat, which causes a characteristic rash. Before its eradication in 1979, infection resulted in a 30–35 percent mortality rate. (credit “rabies diagram”: modification of work by CDC; “rabies micrograph”: modification of work by Dr. Fred Murphy, CDC; credit “small pox micrograph”: modification of work by Dr. Fred Murphy, Sylvia Whitfield, CDC; credit “smallpox photo”: modification of work by CDC; scale-bar data from Matt Russell)

Viruses can also be classified by the design of their capsids ( [link] and [link] ). Capsids are classified as naked icosahedral, enveloped icosahedral, enveloped helical, naked helical, and complex ( [link] and [link] ). The type of genetic material (DNA or RNA) and its structure (single- or double-stranded, linear or circular, and segmented or non-segmented) are used to classify the virus core structures ( [link] ).

The left illustration shows a 20-sided structure with rods jutting from each apex. The right micrograph shows a cluster of adenoviruses, each about 100 nanometers across.
Adenovirus (left) is depicted with a double-stranded DNA genome enclosed in an icosahedral capsid that is 90–100 nm across. The virus, shown clustered in the micrograph (right), is transmitted orally and causes a variety of illnesses in vertebrates, including human eye and respiratory infections. (credit “adenovirus”: modification of work by Dr. Richard Feldmann, National Cancer Institute; credit “micrograph”: modification of work by Dr. G. William Gary, Jr., CDC; scale-bar data from Matt Russell)
Virus Classification by Capsid Structure
Capsid Classification Examples
Naked icosahedral Hepatitis A virus, polioviruses
Enveloped icosahedral Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, rubella virus, yellow fever virus, HIV-1
Enveloped helical Influenza viruses, mumps virus, measles virus, rabies virus
Naked helical Tobacco mosaic virus
Complex with many proteins; some have combinations of icosahedral and helical capsid structures Herpesviruses, smallpox virus, hepatitis B virus, T4 bacteriophage

Questions & Answers

Discuss the differences between taste and flavor, including how other sensory inputs contribute to our  perception of flavor.
John Reply
taste refers to your understanding of the flavor . while flavor one The other hand is refers to sort of just a blend things.
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While taste primarily relies on our taste buds, flavor involves a complex interplay between taste and aroma
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omeprazole
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Nency Reply
Not really sure
Eli
to drain extracellular fluid all over the body.
asegid
The lymphatic system plays several crucial roles in the human body, functioning as a key component of the immune system and contributing to the maintenance of fluid balance. Its main functions include: 1. Immune Response: The lymphatic system produces and transports lymphocytes, which are a type of
asegid
to transport fluids fats proteins and lymphocytes to the blood stream as lymph
Adama
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Oyindarmola Reply
Anatomy is the identification and description of the structures of living things
Kamara
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Oyerinde Reply
Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body, while physiology is the study of the function of the body. Anatomy looks at the body's organs and systems, while physiology looks at how those organs and systems work together to keep the body functioning.
AI-Robot
what is enzymes all about?
Mohammed Reply
Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. Enzymes are essential for digestion, liver function and much more. Too much or too little of a certain enzyme can cause health problems
Kamara
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Prince
how does the stomach protect itself from the damaging effects of HCl
Wulku Reply
little girl okay how does the stomach protect itself from the damaging effect of HCL
Wulku
it is because of the enzyme that the stomach produce that help the stomach from the damaging effect of HCL
Kamara
function of digestive system
Ali Reply
function of digestive
Ali
the diagram of the lungs
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Diya Reply
37 degrees selcius
Xolo
37°c
Stephanie
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Mark
36.5
Simon
37°c
Iyogho
the normal temperature is 37°c or 98.6 °Fahrenheit is important for maintaining the homeostasis in the body the body regular this temperature through the process called thermoregulation which involves brain skin muscle and other organ working together to maintain stable internal temperature
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37A c
Wulku
what is anaemia
Diya Reply
anaemia is the decrease in RBC count hemoglobin count and PVC count
Eniola
what is the pH of the vagina
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how does Lysin attack pathogens
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acid
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I information on anatomy position and digestive system and there enzyme
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anatomy of the female external genitalia
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Organ Systems Of The Human Body (Continued) Organ Systems Of The Human Body (Continued)
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what's lochia albra
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Source:  OpenStax, Biology. OpenStax CNX. Feb 29, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11448/1.10
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