Question

Which classification of microbes represents a unique category composed entirely of proteins, distinguishing them from other infectious agents?

पर्याय

• Viroids, which are non-cellular RNA molecules

• Viruses, which contain both DNA and protein

• Prions, which are proteinaceous infectious agents

• Bacteria, which contain genetic material and cellular structures

Answer 1

Prions are uniquely classified as proteinaceous infectious agents composed entirely of proteins, lacking any nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). This distinguishes them fundamentally from all other infectious agents including viruses, viroids, bacteria, and fungi. Prions cause diseases through protein misfolding and aggregation, representing a novel mechanism of infection quite different from other microbial pathogens.