capsid
Virus protein coat
A capsid is the protein shell that surrounds and protects the genetic material of a virus.
Made of repeating protein subunits, the capsid gives viruses their distinctive shapes—spherical, rod-shaped, or the complex geometry of bacteriophages.
The capsid determines how the virus attaches to host cells.
Single viral unit
- bacteriophageVirus infecting bacterial cells
- adenovirusDNA virus infecting airways
- retrovirusRNA virus copying into DNA
- parvovirusTiny single-stranded DNA pathogen
herpesvirus · coronavirus · phage · nucleic acid · genome · RNA · DNA · replication
Viral particle's outer layer
- subunitPart of larger entity
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- amino acidProtein's molecular subunit
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
folding · chaperone · antigen · epitope · spike · fiber · knob · domain
Twenty-faced regular solid
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- vertexPoint where edges converge
- faceHead's anterior surface
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
polyhedral · triangulation · geometric · spherical · helical · prolate · assembly · subunit
Guarding against harm
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- penetrationEntry into something
- tropismStimulus-directed movement
stability · permeability · shielding · containment · envelope · endocytosis · injection
virion
Single viral unit
- bacteriophageVirus infecting bacterial cells
- adenovirusDNA virus infecting airways
- retrovirusRNA virus copying into DNA
parvovirus · herpesvirus · coronavirus · phage · nucleic acid · genome · RNA · DNA · replication · infection
coat protein
Viral particle's outer layer
- subunitPart of larger entity
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- amino acidProtein's molecular subunit
crystallization · folding · chaperone · antigen · epitope · spike · fiber · knob · domain · monomer
icosahedron
Twenty-faced regular solid
edge · polyhedral · triangulation · geometric · spherical · helical · prolate · assembly · subunit · lattice
protection
Guarding against harm
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- penetrationEntry into something
tropism · stability · permeability · shielding · containment · envelope · endocytosis · injection
capsidviral genome
Virus's complete genetic sequence
RNA · DNA · genetic material · viral RNA · genome
- time capsuleSealed trove for descendants
- space capsuleCrewed reentry vessel
- gel capsule
- capsule wardrobePared-down clothing collection
- capsule hotelLodging with minimal sleeping compartments
- capsule toyVended miniature in shell
capsule, encapsulate, encapsulates, encapsulation, capsaicin