capsomere
/ˈkæpsəˌmɪr/
noun
- A protein subunit that makes up the capsid (protein shell) of a virus.
- Each capsomere is a small building block that helps form the virus's outer shell.
- The shape of a capsomere determines the overall structure of the viral capsid.
- Scientists study how capsomeres assemble to understand how viruses infect cells.