Dictionary

quasisymmetry en · NOUN

Etymology

From quasi- + symmetry.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A mapping that preserves shape but allows size to change in a well-defined manner.
2. (countable, uncountable) A pattern in which many copies of a viral protein form a huge spherical coating, where each subunit has an almost symmetrical arrangement with its neighbors.
   • Evolution blindly explores every possibility, and as more and more structures of viral capsids have been studied, numerous exceptions to classic quasisymmetry have been found. 2016, David S. Goodsell, Atomic Evidence: Seeing the Molecular Basis of Life, page 72:
   • So-called “quasisymmetry” occurs if all subunits are chemically identical but have two slightly different conformations so that slightly different contacts can be made. 2013, G.E. Schulz, R.H. Schirmer, Principles of Protein Structure, page 99:

Forms