The Pathogenic Effects of Viroids are Thought to Result From

Question

The pathogenic effects of viroids are thought to result from:
A) The ability to alter normal patterns of gene expression
B) The ability to directly mutate DNA
C) The ability to indirectly mutate RNA
D) The ability to stop gene expression
E) The ability to enhance gene expression

Accepted Answer

Viroids are small RNA molecules that infect plants and are responsible for causing many plant diseases. They do not have the ability to directly mutate DNA or stop gene expression. However, they can alter normal patterns of gene expression in the host plant, resulting in a variety of pathogenic effects.