Viruses are microscopic particles that infect cells and rely on host cells to replicate. They contain genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA and have a protein coat. Viruses infect both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and differ from other organisms in their structure, biology, and reproduction. Viruses are classified into groups based on their structure and method of replication, with the Baltimore system categorizing viruses into 7 groups depending on their nucleic acid and method of replication.