How many nucleotides of the genome would you expect to find in ...

[geoffrey]

Some viruses can be crystallized and their structures analyzed. One such virus is Desmodium, or yellow mottle virus, which infects beans. This is a member of the tymovirus group and has a single-stranded RNA genome of ~6,300 nucleotides. Its virion is 25—30 nm in diameter, and is made up of 180 copies of a single capsid protein that self-associate to form each capsomere, which has icosahedral symmetry with 20 facets.

How many nucleotides of the genome would you expect to find in one capsid?
A) 1
B) ~6
C) ~20
D) ~180
E) ~6,300

[ricki]

Hey dude, go with E. I got it right.