<P> While not inside an infected cell or in the process of infecting a cell , viruses exist in the form of independent particles . These viral particles , also known as virions , consist of two or three parts : ( i ) the genetic material made from either DNA or RNA , long molecules that carry genetic information ; ( ii ) a protein coat , called the capsid , which surrounds and protects the genetic material ; and in some cases ( iii ) an envelope of lipids that surrounds the protein coat when they are outside a cell . The shapes of these virus particles range from simple helical and icosahedral forms for some virus species to more complex structures for others . Most virus species have virions that are too small to be seen with an optical microscope . The average virion is about one one - hundredth the size of the average bacterium . </P>
<P> While not inside an infected cell or in the process of infecting a cell , viruses exist in the form of independent particles . These viral particles , also known as virions , consist of two or three parts : ( i ) the genetic material made from either DNA or RNA , long molecules that carry genetic information ; ( ii ) a protein coat , called the capsid , which surrounds and protects the genetic material ; and in some cases ( iii ) an envelope of lipids that surrounds the protein coat when they are outside a cell . The shapes of these virus particles range from simple helical and icosahedral forms for some virus species to more complex structures for others . Most virus species have virions that are too small to be seen with an optical microscope . The average virion is about one one - hundredth the size of the average bacterium . </P>
give two other names used for the protein coat of a virus
give two other names used for the protein coat of a virus
capsid envelope of lipids
capsid envelope of lipids