This is an animation created for A.D.A.M. showing how HIV infects a T-cell. The membrane of the HIV virus fuses with the T-cell membrane and the nuclear components slip inside. The receptors on the viral surface don’t gain access, but flow into the matrix of the outer T-cell membrane. A T-cell is a white blood cell of the immune system. They are the body’s primary defenders against foreign invaders such as viruses. The movies on this page require the Quicktime plugin. To install the plugin, click this logo