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 the Structure of a Virus**:
- Viruses have an outer protein coat known as the **capsid**. This capsid is composed of protein subunits called **protomers**.

2. **Function of the Capsid**:
- The primary role of the capsid is to protect the viral **nucleic acid** (either DNA or RNA) and facilitate the virus's ability to infect a host cell.

3. **Role of Protomers**:
- The protomers assemble to form the capsid, and their arrangement determines the overall structure and shape of the virus.

4. **Importance of Shape**:
- The shape of the virus is crucial as it influences how the virus interacts with host cells. The specific shape can affect the virus's ability to attach to and penetrate host cells, which is essential for infection.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the subunits of the protein coat (capsid) of a virus primarily determine its **shape**.

6. **Final Answer**:
- The correct answer is **option 4: shape**.