VIRUSES

The smallest life forms known, that are not cellular in nature. They live inside the cells of animals, plants and bacteria and often cause disease. They are made up of a chromosome surrounded by a protein shell. The properties of viruses are its features that make up its characteristics. Viruses have a nucleic acid that consists of RNA or DNA, and are categorized as both non-living and living matters. Viruses play a non-active role when exiting from outside of host cells, however become active when inside of the host cells.