Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Fourth Edition)
Microbiology: An Evolving Science (Fourth Edition)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780393615098
Author: John W. Foster, Joan L. Slonczewski
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 6, Problem 1RQ
Summary Introduction

To review:

The comparison and differences between icosahedral and filamentous symmetry of viruses with examples.

Introduction:

The viral capsid protects and encloses the genetic material of a virus. It is a proteinaceous structure that can be either symmetric or asymmetric. During replication or reproduction of a virus, the genetic material is inserted into the host cytoplasm and the capsid remains outside.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

The symmetrical capsid of virus can be of two types: icosahedral and filamentous. This symmetrical geometry proves to be advantageous in packaging the repeating protein units that are produced from the genetic material of the virus. The differences between these shapes of viral capsid are given below:

1. The icosahedral capsid contains 20 triangular faces and each face is formed by three identical proteins that are asymmetrical. The filamentous capsid is composed of monomers that spiral around the genome of the virus.

2. The size of an icosahedral capsid is fixed, however, the length of a helical (filamentous) capsid can be increased to include larger sized nucleic acid of virus.

3. The filamentous viruses contain tail fibers at their end that mediate attachment to host cell surface. The icosahedral virus contains glycoprotein spikes in their membrane envelope to aid in attachment.

4. The example of viruses having icosahedral capsid are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus. The examples of filamentous virus are Ebola virus, influenza virus, and tobacco mosaic virus.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Describe the DNA viruses and RNA viruses with the help of example.
Give one example of a segmented virus and describe how the structure of the virusinfluences its pathogenicity.
Discuss the following statement: “Viruses exist in the twilight zone of life: outside cells they are simply dead assemblies of molecules; inside cells, however, they are alive.”
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
What Is A Virus ? ; Author: Peekaboo Kidz;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS7vsBgWszI;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY