Viruses are non-cellular microorganisms composed of nucleic acid and protein that can only replicate inside living cells. They come in various shapes and their basic structure consists of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat, and sometimes a membrane. Viruses can have different effects on infected cells, such as taking over the cell's reproductive mechanism to produce more viruses or causing the cell to break open and release the new viruses. Examples of diseases caused by viruses include influenza, HIV/AIDS, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella.