DNA double helix
DNA is the molecule that stores hereditary information in living organisms.
2 nmHelix diameterBeyond the eye
DNA double helix vs Virus
What are they, and what does the difference actually look like?
Two things. One honest scale.
Meet the pair
What these two things are
Virus
A virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.
100 nmCharacteristic sizeThe characteristic size of Virus is about 50 times the helix diameter of DNA double helix.
01
DNA double helix2 nmHelix diameter
02
Virus100 nmCharacteristic size
Inset ×7.72DNA double helix is too small to see clearly at this scale. The ring marks its position; only the inset is enlarged.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
DNA double helix
A 2 nm diameter scale for B-form double-stranded DNA. The pictured strand length is illustrative, not the selected measurement.
University of Utah — Cell size and scale
The marked helix diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Virus
A chosen 100 nm viral particle, including the approximate envelope. Viruses vary greatly.
University of Utah — Cell size and scale
The marked characteristic size is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Change the comparison
Put something else beside it.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
The visual compares helix diameter with characteristic size. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.
DNA double helix
2 nmHelix diameter · representative
A 2 nm diameter scale for B-form double-stranded DNA. The pictured strand length is illustrative, not the selected measurement.
Virus
100 nmCharacteristic size · representative
A chosen 100 nm viral particle, including the approximate envelope. Viruses vary greatly.
- Comparing
- Helix diameter ↔ Characteristic size
- Relative size
- Virus is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 50.
How to read the visual
The labelled spans and stored measurements determine the scale; unmeasured illustration details do not.
- DNA double helix is labelled representative; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
- Virus is labelled representative; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MicroscopicDNA double helix2 nmDNA is the molecule that stores hereditary information in living organisms.MicroscopicVirus100 nmA virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.
Fundamental physicsProton1.682 fmA proton is a positively charged particle found in the nucleus of atoms, made up of quarks.
Microscopic10 µm cell10 µmA cell is the basic structural unit of living organisms.
People70 µm hair70 µmA hair is a slender strand of protein that grows from the skin of humans and other mammals.Side by side
Another point of view.
