How Does a Capsomere Work?

The capsomere is a subunit of the capsid, an outer covering of protein that protects the genetic material of a virus. Capsomeres self-assemble to form the capsid.

What is difference between capsid and capsomere?

The key difference between capsid and capsomere is that capsid is the protein coat that surrounds and protects the viral genome while capsomere is the structural subunit of a viral capsid and aggregation of several protomers as a unit. ... Protein shell, also known as the capsid, is made up of proteins.

What is capsomere in biology?

noun, plural: capsomeres. The protein subunit that assembles into a capsid, protecting the genetic material of the virus. Supplement. The types of capsomeres are based on the location in the capsid, e.g. pentamers and hexamers.