Q. TO Diener (1971) discovered a new infections agent that was smaller than viruses Consider the following statements about this infectious agent I. It cause pototo spindle tuber disease II. These are infectious RNA particles III. It lacks the protein coat IV. The molecular wt of its RNA is low The above statements are assigned to
A) Viruses
B) Viroids
C) Prions
D) Lichen
Explanation
Viroid was discovered by TO Diener in 1971 as a new infectious agent that was smaller than viruses. Viroids lacks capsid and have not proteins associated with them. The nucleic acid that they infects is a free RNA with low molecular weight. They have been identified as causes responsible for some very important plant diseases such as, potato spindle tuber, chrysanthemum stunt
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.