Читать книгу Principles of Virology - Jane Flint, S. Jane Flint - Страница 168

Virus particles are elegant assemblies of viral, and occasionally cellular, macromolecules. They are marvelous examples of architecture on the molecular scale, with forms perfectly adapted to their functions. Virus particles come in many sizes and shapes (Fig. 4.1; also see Fig. 1.7) and vary enormously in the number and nature of the molecules from which they are built. Nevertheless, they fulfill common functions and are constructed according to general principles that apply to them all. These properties are described in subsequent sections, which include examples of the architectural detail characteristic of members of different virus families, and nonstructural components of virus particles needed for initiation of infectious cycles.