Ebola Structure 10

This graphic shows structure of the Ebola virus, progressively stripping away the layers. At left is the complete virus particle. The nucleocapsid core can be glimpsed in the "tail".

Glycoprotein spikes (pink) project from the surface and allow the virus to attach to host cells. The spikes stop halfway along the virus particle, revealing the greenish viral envelope. The envelope is cut about two-thirds along to reveal the matrix proteins (red).

The sleeve of matrix proteins is cut to reveal the nucleocapsid (purple).

The nucleocapsid is cut to reveal the RNA genome (yellow coil).

This graphic is designed mainly for print, allowing the publisher to add text and labels.