Graphic showing the structure of the Ebola virus. The cutaway diagram progressively strips away the layers.

At left is the complete virus particle. Glycoprotein spikes (pink) project from the surface and allow the virus to attach to host cells. The spikes stop revealing the viral envelope. The envelope is cut, showing the underlying red matrix protein cage. Then the nucleocapsid (pale purple) is revealed, and finally the RNA genome spirals in the very centre.