Question

1. explain how prions differ from viruses, describe several diseases associated with prions.
2. explain the purpose of Bergey's Manual and how the current edition is organized

Answer 1

The term Prion was first coined to describe mysterious neuro degenerative diseases among mammals.They are proteinaceous molecules that have an altered structure than their normal form thereby causing a diseased condition though the normal the specific function of the normal prion protein (PrP^C) is not clearly understood, it is suggested that they play a role in protecting cells and helping them respond to oxygen deficiency.

differences between prions and viruses.

1. prions have no nuclear material while viruses do have .

2. the disease condition caused by a prion is always fatal while that of virus need not always be.

3. Prions infect only the nervous system most of the times while viral infection are seen in many parts of the body.

4. Unlkike viruses the soruce of prion infection is not external but it is internal as the normal protein within the body itself modifies its structure to infect. and are sometimes formed spontaneously for unknown reasons.

5.Prions are never seen as individual units but commonly occur as aggregated units.

6.They are normally resistant to the procedures and treatments that breakdown the nucleic acid and destroy biological form of the pathogen.

7.They do not elicit immune response from the body unlike other invading pathogenas they are formed within the body and they are responsible for genetic spordiac and acquies form of neurogenerative diseases.

The diseases caused by prions include fatal insomnia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD),Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome , kuru and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD).