Abstract: From the discovery of the first coronavirus in 1937 to the global spread of SARS-CoV-2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, many members of the coronavirus family pose a great threat to nature and human society by causing a variety of diseases in mammals and birds. Especially some of the Genus human coronaviruses, due to their high infectivity, instant outbreak and high fatality, have caused widespread and extensive social panic. By summing up features, classification, genomic structure, infection mechanism, origin and evolution rule of coronavirus, as well as its route of transmission and influence factor, the paper can enable people to have the relevant cognition and understanding of coronavirus, and provide the theoretical support for prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection.

Key words: coronavirus, gene mutation, virus transmission