HIV Three Sectioned Virions on Bright Red

Translucent cutaway models of HIV showing part of the matrix protein shell (blue), and the viral core (pink). The core contains the viral genetic material (RNA - glows orange). The virus is covered by an envelope (translucent green) derived from the host cell during budding. Some of the spikes that the virus uses to attach to target cells are shown. The background is a complex texture at bottom fading to bright red at the top.