viruses vs viroids

Question

What is absent in viroids that is present in typical viruses?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Virus Structure**: Consists of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protective protein coat called a **capsid**.
2. **Discovery of Viroids**: T.O. Diener discovered an infectious agent smaller than viruses.
3. **Nature of Viroids**: They consist only of 'naked' low-molecular-weight circular RNA.
4. **The Difference**: They **lack the protein coat** (capsid) that is characteristic of viruses. They are mostly known to cause plant diseases like Potato spindle tuber disease.

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viruses vs viroids

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