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They don't quite 'reproduce', propagate would be closer to the mark. Prions are 'rogue' proteins, versions of naturally occurring proteins with a different 3D structure.
They replicate in living host .
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNot in the sense that organisms reproduce, no. However, they can propagate and multiply. A prion can rearrange the structure of a normal protein, causing it to become a prion as well (which is why it is an infectious agent).
Anonymous
Prions replicate by catalyzing the protein of a cell and folding the same to resemble the prion.
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Describe how can viruses and prions can alter cell function?
Viruses and prions have the ability to reproduce. After entering a cell, they alter something about it's protein formation
Paritcle of nucleic acid and protien that can reproduce only by infecting living cells?
prions
What pathogen is a packet of proteins with no RNA or DNA?
Prions
Explain how a non-replicating protein can act as a transmissible pathogen?
Prions are the easiest way to answer this. Prions are like mis-folded proteins that cannot reproduce. When a prion enters a cell, it interacts with the normal protein and transforms it into the prion's version. By transmissible pathogen it means that the forgein body is able to be passed along.
Why aren't prions alive?
This could be a real gray area depending on the definition of life.I would have to say yes as they meet the following criteria.they reproduce.they employ enzymes (themselves)they utilized energy to perpetuate their functionthey utilized resources to perpetuate their function.
Describe how can viruses and prions can alter cell function?
Viruses and prions have the ability to reproduce. After entering a cell, they alter something about it's protein formation
Paritcle of nucleic acid and protien that can reproduce only by infecting living cells?
prions
Why don't viruses and prions qualify as organisms?
Both are missing some key characteristics of life - prions more so than viruses. The most prominent feature that is missing is the ability to reproduce without a host. Viruses can't reproduce without a host cell and prions can't propagate without a normal protein that is transformed into a prion.
What pathogen is a packet of proteins with no RNA or DNA?
Prions
Explain how a non-replicating protein can act as a transmissible pathogen?
Prions are the easiest way to answer this. Prions are like mis-folded proteins that cannot reproduce. When a prion enters a cell, it interacts with the normal protein and transforms it into the prion's version. By transmissible pathogen it means that the forgein body is able to be passed along.
Is DNA found in all prions?
No, DNA is not found in any prions. Prions are just protein - they don't contain a nucleic acid.
Why aren't prions alive?
This could be a real gray area depending on the definition of life.I would have to say yes as they meet the following criteria.they reproduce.they employ enzymes (themselves)they utilized energy to perpetuate their functionthey utilized resources to perpetuate their function.
Do prions contain DNA or RNA?
Prions are an infectious particle made of protein. They do not contain DNA or RNA.
Can you kill prions by sterilization?
No, cooking does not destroy or disable prions. If you were able to cook a meat that contains prions to the point where the prions were disabled, the meat would be rendered inedible.You can use chemicals mixed with heat to destroy prions, but that's not a process you would want to subject your food to.
Do prions have RNA?
No, prions aren't organisms or even organism imitators like viruses. Prions are misfolded proteins that can aggregate and cause serious neurological problems. See link below for more info about prions from Answers.com.
Why are prions unique?
Prions are made up only of proteins and lack nucleic acids.
What is a nonliving thing that reproduces?
It is somewhat doubtful whether viruses and prions can be considered living things. They have some characteristics of living things, but lack others.A fire can reproduce. Several types of computer programs, and especially malicious programs, can reproduce. I believe some of the figures in Conway's Game of Life can reproduce.
