VIRION Definition & Meaning

virion

[ vahy-ree-on, vir-ee- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the infectious form of a virus as it exists outside the host cell, consisting of a nucleic acid core, a protein coat, and, in some species, an external envelope.

virion

/ ˈ��ɪ��ɪə�� /

noun

a virus in infective form, consisting of an RNA particle within a protein covering

virion

/ ��ī′��ŧ-ŏ��′,��î��′ŧ- /

A complete viral particle, consisting of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein shell and constituting the infective form of a virus. The shell, called a capsid , protects the interior core that includes the genome and other proteins. After the virion binds to the surface of a specific host cell, its DNA or RNA is injected into the host cell and viral replication occurs with eventual spread of the infection to other host cells.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of virion¹

< French virion (1959), equivalent to viri ( en ) viral ( virus, -ian ) + -on -on ¹

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of virion¹

C20: from vir ( us ) + ion

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The virion is just the dispersal mechanism, he argued.

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Oh wait — I forgot that we’ve managed to politicize even that tiny virion with glycoprotein spikes.

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Fitting 300 nm RNA into the virion was a breeze!

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Such studies might identify relationships between antibody binding sites on the virion and antibody function.

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Loss of the precursor fragment of prM lets the E protein fluctuate from its tight packing at the surface of the virion, transiently exposing otherwise buried surfaces.

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