What type of infectious particles are known to cause neurodegenerative diseases in humans and livestock?

• A. Bacteria
• B. Viruses
• C. Prions
• D. Fungi

Answer: (C)

Prions are infectious particles that consist of misfolded proteins and are known to cause neurodegenerative diseases in both humans and livestock. Unlike traditional pathogens like bacteria and viruses, prions do not contain nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) and propagate by inducing misfolding in normal cellular proteins, leading to disease. Examples of prion diseases include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (commonly known as mad cow disease) in cattle.

The mechanism of prion transmission typically involves the ingestion of infected tissue, which can lead to severe neurodegeneration and a characteristic sponge-like appearance of the brain tissue. This unique mode of action and the absence of nucleic acid content distinguish prions from other infectious agents. Thus, prions are recognized as a distinct class of infectious particles responsible for specific neurodegenerative diseases.