Question

What diseases are caused by viroids?

Answer 1

Viroids:

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

Diseases caused by viroids in humans:

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

Diseases caused by viroids in plants:

1. In plants, viroids cause a variety of diseases like citrus exocortis, cucumber pale fruit, chrysanthemum stunt, etc.
2. Symptoms: Stem and leaf necrosis is very common, even death of the whole plant, and chlorosis of leaves occur.