Which of the following is primarily responsible for the shape of a virion?
A) the type of nucleic acid
B) the number of segments of the viral genome
C) the source of the envelope
D) the capsid
E) the specific host protein the virus targets

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The capsid is the protein shell that surrounds the viral genome and is primarily responsible for the shape of a virion. Different viruses have different types of capsids, such as icosahedral or helical, which give them their distinct shapes.

The other options do not directly affect the shape of a virion. The type of nucleic acid and number of segments may affect the genetic composition of the virus, but not its physical shape. The source of the envelope may determine whether the virus is enveloped or non-enveloped, but not the shape of the virion. The specific host protein the virus targets may determine the host range of the virus, but again, not its shape.

Which of the Following Is Primarily Responsible for the Shape