Viruses are made up of nucleic acid (DNA
or RNA)
enclosed in a protein coat (capsid),
which is made up of subunits called capsomeres.
Bacterial viruses are called phages.
- Tobacco Mosaic Virus has a helical capsid
enclosing RNA.
- Adenoviruses have a polyhedral capsid
with glycoprotein
spikes.
- Flu viruses have 8 capsids
with an RNA
genome wrapped in a membranous envelope embedded with glycoproteins.
- Phage T4 has a polyhedral head
and a tail
apparatus.
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