7 public questions tagged with this topic.
The agent is a prion, an infectious abnormally folded protein. Prions are associated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, in cattle and its analogous variant, CJD, in humans.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 2: Biological Classification Viruses Viroids Prions and Lichens
A virus contains RNA or DNA protected by a protein capsid. A viroid consists of free, low-molecular-weight RNA and lacks a protein coat. A prion is an infectious agent made of abnormally folded protein.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 2: Biological Classification Viruses Viroids Prions and Lichens
Prions are infectious agents consisting of abnormally folded protein, not DNA. They are associated with neurological diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly called mad cow disease.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 2: Biological Classification Kingdom Monera - Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
According to the latest additions in NCERT biology, 'prions' represent a highly unusual class of infectious agents. Unlike viruses or viroids which rely on nucleic acids, prions consist entirely of 'abnormally folded proteins' with no genetic material. When they enter a healthy brain, they induce normal proteins to misfold, leading to fatal neurodegenerative diseases like BSE (mad cow disease) in cattle and CJD in humans.
Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology > Chapter 2: Biological Classification > 2.6 Viruses, Viroids, Prions and Lichens
Infectious proteins that induce misfolding of normal proteins is the scientifically accurate answer to this question. Within the study of Protein Folding, this concept is well-established through extensive research and is documented in standard scientific literature. The specific properties, mechanisms, or characteristics of Infectious proteins that induce misfolding of normal proteins directly address what is being asked. Among the other options, Viruses that cause protein misfolding, Misfolded DNA-binding proteins, and RNA molecules causing diseases do not correctly answer this question because they either refer to different concepts, describe properties of other molecules or processes, or represent common misconceptions about this topic.
Ref: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Nelson & Cox, 8th Ed., Ch. 4
