Virion

A virion is the complete, infectious form of a virus outside of a host cell. It consists of genetic material—either DNA or RNA—surrounded by a protective protein coat called a capsid. Some virions also have an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell’s membrane. When a virion enters a suitable host cell, it can hijack the cell’s machinery to reproduce and create new viruses. Essentially, a virion is the vehicle that allows a virus to transmit and infect new cells, ensuring its survival and replication.