Viroids are small single-stranded, circular RNAs that are infectious pathogens. [1][2] Unlike viruses, they have no protein coating. All known viroids are inhabitants of angiosperms (flowering plants), [3] and most cause diseases whose economic importance to humans varies widely. [4] .

viroid, an infectious particle smaller than any of the known viruses, an agent of certain plant diseases. The particle consists only of an extremely small circular RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecule, lacking the protein coat of a virus.

Viroids In 1971, Theodor Diener, a pathologist working at the Agriculture Research Service, discovered an acellular particle that he named a viroid, meaning “virus-like.” Viroids consist only of a short strand of circular RNA capable of self-replication.

Jun 27, 2024 · The term “viroid” is used to describe circular noncoding RNAs of exogenous origin that replicate autonomously in host cells via RNA–RNA rolling circle mechanisms without DNA templates or intermediates.

Viroids are non-coding circular RNA molecules with rod-like or branched structures. They are often ribozymes, characterized by catalytic RNA. They can perform many basic functions of life and may have played a role in evolution since the beginning of life on Earth. They can cleave, join, replicate, and undergo Darwinian evolution.

Viroids refer to the small, non-cellular sub-viral agents, which exist as obligate intracellular parasites like viruses, but differs in property by lacking a protein coat. They are approximately 200-400 nucleotides long. Viroid primarily infects, replicates and …

Viroids are small, single-stranded, circular RNAs that can infect plants and cause specific diseases, even though they do not have the ability to code for proteins. They belong to the taxonomic families of Pospiviroidae and Avsunviroidae, which differ in their structural and functional properties.

Virusoids are circular single-stranded RNAs dependent on plant viruses for replication and encapsidation. The genome of virusoids consists of several hundred nucleotides and only encodes structural proteins. Virusoids are similar to viroids in …

Apr 14, 2024 · Viroids are known as the smallest infectious pathogens which are made up solely of a short strand of circular, single-stranded self-replicating RNA that has no protein coating. Although, viroids are made of nucleic acid which does not code for any protein. They don’t contain any protein coat to protect their genetic information.

Viroids are infectious diseases causing pathogens that affect only plants. They are smaller than Viruses and other pathogens. Explore more about Viroids at BYJU'S.