VIRUSES: Structure and Properties Viruses consist of particles containing a nucleic acid (rna or DNA), which encodes all the information necessary for multiplication in the correct environment(host) The nucleic acid constitutes the viral genome and is associated with protein to form a nucleocapsid Depending on the presence or absence of lipid in the membrane viruses are termed enveloped or nonenveloped, respectivelyVIRUSES: Structure and Properties • Viruses consist of particles containing a nucleic acid (RNA or DNA), which encodes all the information necessary for multiplication in the correct environment (host). • The nucleic acid constitutes the viral genome and is associated with protein to form a nucleocapsid. • Depending on the presence or absence of lipid in the membrane, viruses are termed enveloped or nonenveloped, respectively