The term "gag protein" commonly refers to a specific type of viral protein involved in the assembly and formation of viral particles. However, there are several synonymous terms used in scientific literature to describe this particular protein. One such term is "structural protein", which signifies its role in providing structural integrity to the viral particles. Another alternative term is "core protein", emphasizing its central and essential role in viral particle formation. Additionally, the phrase "matrix protein" is used to highlight the protein's role in forming the matrix or framework of the viral particle. These synonymous terms are frequently employed in scientific research to describe the multifaceted functions of the gag protein in virology.