A '''virus''' is a microscopic, non-[[cell]]ular, infectious agent that has two characteristics: It has genetic material (either [[DNA]] or [[RNA]]) inside a protective [[protein]] coat (called a "capsid").<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Biology''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> Uniquely, viruses may contain single or double stranded nucleic acid. All other organisms are based on double stranded DNA. | A '''virus''' is a microscopic, non-[[cell]]ular, infectious agent that has two characteristics: It has genetic material (either [[DNA]] or [[RNA]]) inside a protective [[protein]] coat (called a "capsid").<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Biology''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref> Uniquely, viruses may contain single or double stranded nucleic acid. All other organisms are based on double stranded DNA. |