Virology
Lwoff's scheme
In 1962 Lwoff, R. W. Horne, and P. Tournier advanced a comprehensive scheme for the classification of all viruses consisting of phylum - class - order - family - subfamily - genus - species - strain/type. They subsequently formed the internat committee on the nomenclature of viruses accepted many principles of this system. The most important principle embodied in this system was that viruses should be grouped according to their shared properties rather than the properties of the cells or organisms they infect. Four main characteristics are used:
1. Nature of the nucleic acid: RNA or DNA
2. Symmetry of the capsid
3. Presence or absence of an envelope
4. Dimensions of the virion and capsid
1. Nature of the nucleic acid: RNA or DNA
2. Symmetry of the capsid
3. Presence or absence of an envelope
4. Dimensions of the virion and capsid
Title.
