Asked in PMC Practice Test 21 (2021) 2021Moderate

What is the protein coat of a virus enclosing nucleic acid called?

Correct answer: B. Capsid

  • A. Vector
  • B. Capsid
  • C. Plasmid
  • D. Genome

Explanation

Viral capsids are the protein cage derived from the protein shell of a virus and can have different shapes, sizes, and protein subunits depending on the virus type.

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About Viruses

Viruses are acellular infectious particles made of genetic material enclosed by a protein capsid, sometimes with a lipid envelope. Their replication depends on a host cell and may follow lytic or lysogenic cycles, so viral structure and reproduction differ fundamentally from those of cellular organisms such as bacteria.

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