Definition of HYPOCHLOROUS ACID. : an unstable strongly oxidizing but weak acid HClO obtained in solution along with hydrochloric acid by reaction of chlorine with water and used especially in the form of salts as an oxidizing agent, bleaching agent, disinfectant, and chlorinating agent.
Section 6.3 Viruses: Structure, Function, and Uses. A virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce by itself. Once it infects a susceptible cell, however, a virus can direct the cell machinery to produce more viruses. Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material.The nucleic acid may be single-or double-stranded.he T phages of E. coli are large lytic phages that contain a single molecule of double-stranded DNA. This molecule is about 2âÃâ10 5 base pairs long in T2, T4, and T6 viruses and about 4âÃâ10 4 base pairs long in T1, T3, T5, and T7 viruses.
Unlike prions and viroids, viruses consist of two or three parts: a helical molecule, protein coat and sometimes a viral wrapper. All viruses have genes constructed from either deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA)âlong helical molecules that carry genetic information.All viruses have a protein coat that protects these genes, and some are wrapped in a viral envelope of fat that surrounds them when they are outside a cell.nlike prions and viroids, viruses consist of two or three parts: a helical molecule, protein coat and sometimes a viral wrapper. All viruses have genes constructed from either deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA)âlong helical molecules that carry genetic information.