Question

What diseases are caused by viroids?

Answer 1

Viroids:

1. Infectious pathogens that affect plants are known as viroids.
2. Viroids generally affect higher plants.
3. Viroids were discovered by T.O. Diener in 1971.
4. Viroids have circular strands of RNA without any protein coating.
5. The size of viroids is smaller than the viruses.

Diseases caused by viroids in humans:

1. In humans, viroids cause only hepatitis D.
2. The symptoms of hepatitis D are: Yellow skin and eyes, upset stomach, belly pain, etc.

Diseases caused by viroids in plants:

1. In plants, viroids cause various diseases like Avocado sunblotch viroid, Chrysanthemum stunt viroid, etc.
2. In these diseases, yellowing of the leaves takes place.