What are Prions

Question

What are prions?
A) mobile segments of DNA
B) tiny molecules of RNA that infect plants
C) viral DNA that has had to attach itself to the host genome
D) misfolded versions of normal brain protein
E) viruses that invade bacteria

Accepted Answer

Prions are misfolded versions of normal brain protein. When prions come into contact with normal brain protein, they can cause it to misfold as well, leading to a chain reaction of misfolded proteins. This can eventually lead to neurological disorders, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Prions are unique in that they are not viruses or bacteria, but rather infectious proteins.