The main difference from viruses to other living things is that they have DNA or have RNA, never the two together. Another very important characteristic of viruses is that they can reproduce, however, they need another cell to be able to reproduce, in short: viruses are the parasites of cells, they do not reproduce themselves
What are its main characteristics?
They measure about 200 nm and can only be seen with an electron microscope. The molecules responsible for storing basic information for the functioning of an organism.
Where they live?
Wherever there is a host cell, such as air, water, you ...
How do they reproduce?
The reproduction of the virus (virions) necessarily occurs inside a cell (host), so they are considered obligatory intracellular parasites, requiring the use of the cellular structure: genetic material and organelles, for their multiplication and propagation.
The main diseases caused by viruses are:
- Common cold and flu.
- Measles, chicken pox, rubella and mumps.
- Polio. Yellow fever. Anger or hydrophilicity.
- Hepatitis A Virus.
- Dengue.
- AIDS.
More information
Viruses are very simple organisms, different from other living things, they are simpler because they have a cellular organization, their own metabolism and not being able to multiply without a host cell. Viruses are the smallest living things we know, visible only under an electron microscope. They are so small that they can penetrate into the cell of the smallest known bacteria. We are easily attuned to the influenza virus, herpes, hepatitis, rabies and rubella. Viruses are able to escape quickly, which has been observed in birds, can change its structure and thus infect man. This is the bad part. The good part is that hundreds of viruses are specialized in infecting bacteria, agents that can cause unpleasant diseases in man like salmonellosis, cholera, colibacillosis and even a large number of bacteria that cause wound infections.