Structure-+SARS

SARS is a member of the coronavirus family of viruses (this is in the same family as the virus that causes a common cold). The virus consists of an orb covered with ice-cream cone looking appendages (see figure 1 below). SARS is an enveloped virus, meaning that it has an additional coating over its capsid protein that is made of lipid bilayer. The genome consists of a single, positive strand of RNA. The RNA in the SARS virus is among the largest in all RNA viruses. Because the genome consists of positive single stranded RNA, the RNA itself functions as a messenger for transcription. Most genetic material found within different cells' genomes is made of DNA. Because the SARS virus has RNA instead, there is a relatively high mutation rate.

Figure 1: Microscopic image of the SARS virus: