Characteristics of viruses -They do not have an organized cell structure -They have no cell nucleus -They typically have one or two strands of DNA or RNA -they are covered with a protective coat of protein called CAPSID -they are inactive when not inside a living cell ,but are active when inside another living cell 40 fact about virus The name virus was in fact coined from the Latin word meaning slimy liquid or poison. Viruses are simpler than bacteria, made up of genetic code (DNA or RNA) with a protein shell . A virus that contains RNA instead of DNA is called a retrovirus. Amazingly our body has about 8% retrovirus genes passed through generations. Half of all human DNA originally came from viruses, which in fact infected and embedded themselves in our ancestors’ egg and sperm cells. Viruses are not alive .They are inanimate complex organic matter. They lack any form of energy, carbon metabolism, and cannot replicate or evolve on it’s own. Viruses ca
