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Mimivirus · including fibres: size, dimension and comparison

The adopted reference is about 750 nm.

Approximate total virion diameter ≈ 750 nm

nm means nanometer: a unit used for molecules and tiny features in computer chips. Imagine 1 millimeter split into one million equal pieces: one piece measures 1 nm.

A giant virus, much larger than many other viruses.

Explore at this scale
Mimivirus · including fibres, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.

What does this number measure?

The Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics' ViralZone structural fact sheet gives about 750 nm for the total extent of the virion including its fibres. This outer dimension is not the size of the smaller capsid alone or of a DNA molecule. The drawing shows an isolated virion; colours, texture and fine structure are interpreted.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Compare with Escherichia coli in the explorer →

Source and limitations

Representative structural size from a genus entry, not the exact distribution of all virions. Peripheral fibres are included in the compared diameter; not a natural-colour photograph.

Interpreted virion, with its total diameter including fibres calibrated. Capsid, fibrils and colours are schematic; no micrograph is claimed.