Mimivirus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mimivirus |
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| Mimivirus with two tiny Sputnik virophages (arrows) | |
Virus classification  |
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| (unranked): | Virus |
| Phylum: | incertae sedis |
| Class: | incertae sedis |
| Order: | incertae sedis |
| Family: | Mimiviridae |
| Genus: | Mimivirus |
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Mimivirus is a very large virus that was first found in 1992. It was discovered by accident inside a tiny, one-celled creature called an amoeba. This amoeba is named Acanthamoeba polyphaga.
When scientists first saw Mimivirus, they thought it was a type of bacterium. This was because it was so big and looked a certain way under a microscope. Its name, "mimivirus," means "mimicking microbe." This name comes from its large size and how it looked like a bacterium.
Mimivirus is either a group of viruses or a single species called Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV). People usually just call it "mimivirus." For a long time, it was the biggest known virus. It has a very large and complex genome compared to most other viruses.
Contents
What Makes Mimivirus Special?
Mimivirus stands out because of its huge size. Most viruses are very tiny, much smaller than bacteria. But Mimivirus is so big that it can be seen with a regular light microscope. This is why scientists first thought it was a bacterium.
How Big is Mimivirus?
The main part of the virus, called the capsid, is about 400 nanometers wide. This is much larger than many other viruses. It also has tiny fibers or "hairs" on its surface, which make it look even bigger. These fibers can add another 125 nanometers to its size.
Where Does Mimivirus Live?
Mimivirus was found inside an amoeba. Amoebas are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in water and soil. Scientists believe that Mimivirus infects these amoebas. This means it uses the amoeba's cells to make more copies of itself.
Images for kids
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A drawing of a Mimivirus particle, showing its "hairs" and a special opening called a stargate.
See also
In Spanish: Mimivirus para niños
