Mter the discoveryof the tobacco mosaic virus by D. I. Ivanov skU
in 1892 14], the new science of virology was born and began to
develop rapidly. The number of viruses now known is enormous and
they can infect nearly all animal and plant organisms.
Microorganisms themselves are no exception to this rule. Despite
intensive study of Vlruses, their origin and nature are still a
subject for speculation and hypothesis. The general concept of
viruses embraces a wide group of biologically active structures
occupying an intermediate position between living and nonliving
matter. The dual character of viruses is determined by the fact
that, while they do not possess an inde pendent system of
metabolism, which is a characteristic feature of every living
being, they nevertheless carry within themselves all the necessary
information for autoreproduction. A striking feature of the virus
is that it consists essentially of two components: a protein
envelope and the nucleic acid con tained within it. In contrast to
the elementary structural unit of the living or ganism, the cell,
which contains two types of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA), the virus
particle contains only one type of nucleic acid - either DNA or
RNA. It is perhaps this which is responsible for the imperfection
of the virus as a living organism."
General
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