Icosahedral

Definition

Icosahedral is a geometric shape characterized by 20 equilateral triangular faces. Many viruses adopt this shape for their capsid, providing structural stability and efficient packaging of genetic material.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Icosahedral symmetry allows viruses to form a highly stable and efficient structure with minimal genetic material.
2. Common examples of viruses with icosahedral capsids include adenovirus, poliovirus, and herpesvirus.
3. The icosahedral shape provides optimal volume for encapsulating viral genomes while maintaining structural integrity.
4. This geometric configuration can be visualized as having 12 vertices and 30 edges, contributing to its overall symmetry.
5. The assembly of an icosahedral capsid involves the self-organization of protein subunits into the characteristic symmetrical shape.

Review Questions

• What are the structural advantages of an icosahedral capsid in viral architecture?
• Name three viruses that exhibit an icosahedral capsid structure.
• How many faces, vertices, and edges does an icosahedron have?

Related terms

Capsid: The protein shell that encloses the viral genome.

Symmetry: A balanced arrangement of equivalent parts around a central point or axis.

Self-assembly: The process by which molecules spontaneously form ordered aggregates without guidance or management from an outside source.