The subunits of the protein coat of a virus determine its

Options

A. pathogenicity
B. virulence
C. genetic material
D. shape

Answer

To solve the question regarding what the subunits of the protein coat of a virus determine, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Virus Structure**:
- A virus consists of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat, known as a capsid. The protein coat is made up of protein subunits called capsomers.

2. **Function of the Protein Coat**:
- The primary function of the protein coat is to protect the viral genetic material. It also plays a crucial role in the virus's ability to infect host cells.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- The question provides multiple options: pathogenicity, virulence, genetic material, and shape. We need to determine which of these is influenced by the protein coat.

4. **Evaluating Each Option**:
- **Pathogenicity**: This refers to the ability of the virus to cause disease. It is primarily determined by the genetic material of the virus, not the protein coat.
- **Virulence**: This indicates the degree of damage a virus can cause. Like pathogenicity, it is also determined by the genetic material and not the protein coat.
- **Genetic Material**: This refers to the DNA or RNA that carries the virus's genetic information. The protein coat does not determine this.
- **Shape**: The protein coat is responsible for the overall shape of the virus. Different viruses have different shapes (e.g., helical, icosahedral), which are determined by the arrangement of the protein subunits in the coat.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that the subunits of the protein coat of a virus determine its **shape**.

### Final Answer:
The subunits of the protein coat of a virus determine its **shape**.

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