Question

HOW NUCLEIC ACID EXISTS INDEPENDENTLY IN VIROIDS EVEN WITHOUT A PROTEIN COAT ?

Answer 1

Dear student,
Viroids are infectious agents smaller than viruses consists of short, circular single stranded RNA (low molecular weight) without protein coat. The high guanine and cytosine content of viroids increase their stability and replication fidelity. They survive without protein coat because they are pseudo living outside the host and they are stable due to high content of guanine and cytosine.

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