Definition of Capsid

1. Noun. A variety of leaf bug.


2. Noun. The outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus.
Group relationships: Virion
Generic synonyms: Protein

Definition of Capsid

1. the outer shell of a virus particle [n -S] : CAPSIDAL [adj]

Medical Definition of Capsid

1. A protein coat that covers the nucleoprotein core or nucleic acid of a virion. Commonly shows icosahedral symmetry and may itself be enclosed in an envelope (as in the Togaviridae). The capsid is built up of subunits (some integer multiple of 60, the number required to give strict icosahedral symmetry) that self assemble in a pattern typical of a particular virus. The subunits are often packed, in smaller capsids, into 5 or 6 membered rings (pentamers or hexamers) that constitute the morphological unit (capsomere). The packing of subunits is not perfectly symmetrical in most cases and some units may have strained interactions and are said to have quasi equivalence of bonding to adjacent units. This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Capsid

capsicin
capsicin
capsicins
capsicum
capsicum
capsicums
Capsicum annuum cerasiforme
Capsicum annuum conoides
Capsicum annuum grossum
Capsicum annuum longum
Capsicum baccatum
Capsicum frutescens
Capsicum frutescens baccatum
capsicum pepper plant
capsid (current term)
capsid (current term)
Capsidae
capsidal
capsids
capsizal
capsizals
capsize
capsized
capsizes
capsizing
capsomer
capsomere
capsomere
capsomeres
capsomers

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