Quasisymmetry

Quick meaning: Quasisymmetry is a noun meaning (mathematics) A mapping that preserves shape but allows size to change in a well-defined manner.

Meaning

(mathematics) A mapping that preserves shape but allows size to change in a well-defined manner.

More Meanings

1. (biology) 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.

Example Sentences

So-called “quasisymmetry” occurs if all subunits are chemically identical but have two slightly different conformations so that slightly different contacts can be made.

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.

Word Forms

• quasisymmetries

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include quasiisometry, quism, persymmetry, bisymmetry, subsymmetry, quasilattice.

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