The American Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has released new photos of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that show how the virus attacks human cells. The coronavirus was captured using an electron microscope.
According to NIAID, the photos show hundreds of tiny virus particles on the surface of human cells that were collected from patients in the USA. The pictures show cells in the phase of apoptosis, i.e. death. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is those little dots seen below.
Due to their size (they are 120-160 nanometers in diameter), coronaviruses are not visible under an optical microscope. What you see below is an electron microscope record on which colors have been added to better observe the coronaviruses.
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is shaped like a ball. Where does its name come from? This is due to the protein shell with insets that resembles a crown.
The coronavirus consists of:
- the peak protein (S), which is responsible for interaction with the receptor on the cell surface,
- RNA, or the genome of the virus,
- nucleocapsid (N) proteins,
- envelope proteins (E),
- membrane protein (M),
- hemagglutinin esterase (HE) dimer protein.
How does the coronavirus attack the body? For this, it uses a spike protein that binds to the cell membrane. When it gets in, the virus replicates itself, making thousands of copies of itself, and then “floods” more cells in the body. This is what you can see in the photos provided by NIAID.
If you need materials that will help you visualize what the cells of the human body look like, we recommend a set with plush toys available on Medonet Market.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
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