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Question

advantage of capsomeres for viruses

Submitted: 260 days and 4 hours ago.

Category: Health

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Age: 30; Female, Florida

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Posted by Dr. Mark 260 days and 3 hours ago.

Info Request

Is this more of a homework question?

Or do you have a specific medical question about viral replication / defense, etc?

260 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

In some viruses, capsomeres function as enzymes as well as structural supports. Of what advantage is this to the virus?

Answer

The goal of the viral particle is to

1. replicate
2. spread

So essentially all of the things associated with the viral particle will help to promote that goal.

The protein subunits that make up the capsid (capsomeres) help in this function by:

protecting the virus against damage, be it from physical forces, chemical damage, or outside enzyme damage -- all of which could damage the virus particle. Some enzymes can help with entry into a host cell, by breaking up the protein barriers against viral entry - and allow for the virus to get into the host cell and to make more particles and continue spreading.

Accepts:
Expert:	Dr. Mark
Pos. Feedback:	99.8 %
Answered:	3/6/2009

Doctor (MD)

U.S. Physician/Surgeon in Neurosurgery

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