Capsomere

/kæpˈsoʊmɪr/ noun

Definition

A protein subunit that forms part of a viral capsid; another term for capsomer used interchangeably.

Etymology

From capsid and -mere, Greek 'meros' meaning part or portion. Both capsomer and capsomere are used in virology with the same meaning.

Kelly Says

The spelling capsomere shows how scientists sometimes use -mere instead of -mer when describing molecular units, though capsomer is becoming the more standard form in modern virology!

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