capsomere

[ kap-suh-meer ]

noun

1. any of the protein subunits of a capsid.

capsomere

/ ˈkæpsəˌmɪə /

noun

1. any of the protein units that together form the capsid of a virus

Word History and Origins

Origin of capsomere¹

1960–65; < French capsomère; capsid ¹, -o-, -mere

Example Sentences

Virologists are having to coin words such as virion, capsid and capsomere to describe viral particles and their parts.

From Time Magazine Archive