The Question is from neet-botany , and it was created by the author B VENKAT

Question

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

B VENKAT · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: B
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
**Primary Concept**: Characteristics of Viroids
**Related Topics**: Viruses, Prions, Infectious Agents, Nucleic Acids
**Prerequisites**: Basic knowledge of biological infectious agents and their structures
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
    - The infectious agent is smaller than viruses.
    - Statements I to IV provide characteristics of the agent.
**Method & Steps**:
1. Analyze each statement in relation to the given answer options:
    Reasoning: We need to identify which class of infectious agents matches all four statements.
    Key Point: Viroids are small, circular RNA molecules that lack a protein coat and are known to cause plant diseases.
2. Evaluate the statements:
    - I. Viroids are known to cause Potato Spindle Tuber Disease. This aligns with the provided information.
    - II. Viroids are indeed infectious RNA particles.
    - III. Viroids lack a protein coat which is a key characteristic.
    - IV. The RNA in viroids has a low molecular weight which aligns with the provided information.
3. Conclude based on the analysis:
    Result: All four statements accurately describe viroids.
    Verification: The correct option is B, which is Viroids.
## OPTION ANALYSIS
[A] :x: Viruses have a protein coat (capsid) and can contain DNA or RNA, making this option incorrect.
[B] ✓: Viroids are small, infectious RNA molecules without a protein coat which matches all statements.
[C] :x: Prions are infectious proteins, not RNA. This option is incorrect.
[D] :x: Lichens are symbiotic organisms (fungus and algae/cyanobacteria) and not infectious agents. This option is incorrect.
## LEARNING AIDS
**Common Mistakes**:
    1. Confusing viroids with viruses: Remember viruses have a protein coat and can have either DNA or RNA, while viroids are just small RNA molecules without a protein coat.
    2. Misidentifying prions: Prions are infectious proteins, not nucleic acids.
**Quick Tips**:
    1. Viroids = RNA only, no protein coat, plant diseases.
    2. Prions = Protein only, neurological diseases.

B VENKAT · Answer

Viruses

B VENKAT · Answer

The correct Option is "Viroids"

B VENKAT · Answer

Prions

B VENKAT · Answer

Lichen

NEET Botany MCQs

Select Chapter

Question Tags

Question Tags

NEET Subjects

Our Bots

Company