Viral structure

Herpesviruses all share a common structure—all herpesviruses are composed of relatively large double-stranded, linear DNA genome encoding 100-200 genes encased within an icosahedral protein cage called the capsid which is itself wrapped in a protein layer called the tegument containing both viral proteins and viral mRNAs and a lipid bilayer membrane called the envelope. This whole particle is known as a virion.