Radiation is a frequent method of sterilization. It is effective because it causes damage to DNA. However, prions, the agents that cause diseases such as mad cow disease, are unaffected by these treatments because they lack DNA. What is the defintion of a prion?

Question

Biology

Alanna Beasley

30 October, 23:30

Radiation is a frequent method of sterilization. It is effective because it causes damage to DNA. However, prions, the agents that cause diseases such as mad cow disease, are unaffected by these treatments because they lack DNA. What is the defintion of a prion?

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Answers (1)

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Joe Stanley · Answer 1

prions are incorrectly folded proteins that are capable of transmitting their misfolded shape onto normal variants of the same protein.

Explanation:

The process by which a prion is formed is not yet known however it is suspected to confer infectious properties.

Prions are known to transmit neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals such as the mad cow disease. These infections can be fetal

Radiation cannot damage Prions because they are proteins and they lack DNA.

Hence radiation as a sterilization method is not advisable such in cases.