Dear student
Viruses are small obligate infectious agents approximately 15-25 nanometers which consist of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protective layer of protein coat known ascapsid. Capsid consists of many protein sub units assembled symmetrically in the form of a tight shell. The genome (RNA or DNA) is packed and protected inside the capsid and the shape of the capsid results in the formation of various forms of viruses having different shapes and sizes. An envelope surrounding the capsid is also present in some viruses. These are the basic components of the virus structure, depending on the type of virus there organization and shape varies.