HIV Virion Translucent on Blue

Translucent cutaway model of HIV showing part of the matrix protein shell (blue), and the viral core (pink). The core contains the viral genetic material (RNA). The virus is covered by a lipid envelope (green) derived from the host cell plasma membrane during budding. Some of the spikes that the virus uses to attach to target cells are shown. The background is a complex texture fading up to sky blue.