AIDS virus particles

Credit: RUSSELL KIGHTLEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

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Caption: AIDS virus particles, artwork. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The outer layer of the virus particle is a membrane envelope (light blue) made from the membrane of the host cell in which this particle developed. The membrane encloses an icosahedral matrix layer, which surrounds the inner genetic core (purple/yellow). Surface knobs (yellow) allow the virus particle to attach to cells. HIV attacks lymphocyte white blood cells, which play an important role in the immune system. This severely impairs the immune system, allowing normally harmless infections to become life threatening.

Release details: Model release not required. Property release not required.

Keywords: acquired immune deficiency, aids, artwork, biological, biology, coat, condition, core, disease, disorder, genetic material, healthcare, hiv, human immunodeficiency virus, icosahedral, icosahedron, illustration, internal, lattice, lentivirus, matrix, medical, medicine, micro-organism, microbe, microbiological, microbiology, model, particle, polygon, polygonal, protein, retrovirus, shell, structure, syndrome, viral, virion

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