The new coronavirus pandemic, which started in China, has spread to many countries around the world, and the number of confirmed cases is increasing daily. Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, a disease known as COVID-19. Due to the rapid spread of viral infection among the human population and due to the large number of deaths, SARS-CoV-2 is currently a major global health problem. In order to find effective methods of treatment, it is important to investigate function of structures located on the surface of the virus. Therefore, in this thesis, we will investigate the recent literature describing the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus envelope with special emphasis on glycoprotein S (spike) as a key element that mediates the entry of the virus into the host cell. Furthermore, the mechanism of recognition of this virus and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) found on the cell membranes of numerous tissues in the human body will be elucidated. Detailed insights into the pathway of the virus entery itno the host cells, and detailed understanding of the molecular mechanism, will allow scientists to develop vaccines and/or drugs to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.