Virus
A virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.
100 nmCharacteristic sizeBeyond the eye
Virus vs Pollen grain
What are they, and what does the difference actually look like?
Two things. One honest scale.
Meet the pair
What these two things are
Pollen grain
A pollen grain carries the male reproductive cells of a seed-producing plant.
30 µmCharacteristic sizePollen grain has about 300 times the characteristic size of Virus.
01
Virus100 nmCharacteristic size
02
Pollen grain30 µmCharacteristic size
Inset ×104Virus is too small to see clearly at this scale. The ring marks its position; only the inset is enlarged.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
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.
Pollen grain
A chosen 30 µm pollen grain. Plant species produce very different grains.
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 characteristic size with characteristic size. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.
Virus
100 nmCharacteristic size · representative
A chosen 100 nm viral particle, including the approximate envelope. Viruses vary greatly.
Pollen grain
30 µmCharacteristic size · representative
A chosen 30 µm pollen grain. Plant species produce very different grains.
- Comparing
- Characteristic size ↔ Characteristic size
- Relative size
- Pollen grain is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 300.
How to read the visual
The labelled spans and stored measurements determine the scale; unmeasured illustration details do not.
- Virus is labelled representative; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
- Pollen grain is labelled representative; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MicroscopicVirus100 nmA virus is an infectious particle containing genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with an outer envelope.MicroscopicPollen grain30 µmA pollen grain carries the male reproductive cells of a seed-producing plant.
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.
Living thingsHoneybee1.5 cmA honeybee is a social insect that lives in a colony and gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.
Living thingsSmall ant5 mmAn ant is a social insect that lives in an organised colony, usually with workers, a queen and specialised roles.
Everyday thingsUS quarter2.426 cmA US quarter is a coin worth twenty-five cents, commonly used in United States currency.Side by side
Another point of view.
