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The definition of a virus (from the Latin virusmeaning toxin or poison), is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside of a host cell.

Each viral particle, or virion, consists of genetic material, DNA or RNA, within a protective protein coat called a capsid. The capsid shape varies from simple helical and icosahedral (polyhedral or near-spherical) forms, to more complex structures with tails or an envelope. Viruses infect all cellular life forms and are grouped into animal, plant and bacterial types, according to the type of host infected.

Taken from Wikipaedia.

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