Question

Write the difference between capsomere and capsid.

Answer 1

Capsomere:

1. Capsomere is the smallest subunit of the capsid.

Capsid:

1. The capsid has multiple capsomeres arranged in a helical or polyhedral shape.

Capsomere	Capsid
There are many capsomeres in one capsid.	There is only one capsid.
2. Makes the viral capsid.	2. Protects the viral genome.
3. It protects the nucleic acid. for every three-helix turns, there are 49 capsomeres.	3. It consists of several oligomeric repeating structural subunits made proteins called protomers.
4. Examples: Pentamers and hexamers.	4. Examples: Bacteriophage, Poliovirus, and Adenovirus.