Q2 / 180 · NEET 2019 (All India) · Botany
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
- AViroids lack a protein coat
- BViruses are obligate parasites
- Correct answerCInfective constituent in viruses is the protein coat
- DPrions consist of abnormally folded proteins
Solution
Viruses are obligate parasites (holoparasites) i.e. they cannot complete its life-cycle without exploiting a suitable host. Viruses are also called Nucleoprotein i.e. they have only genetic material (nucleic acids) enclosed within a capsid (protein coat). But, the infective constituent of a virus is its genetic material i.e., DNA or RNA. Only genetic material enters into the host cell, the protein coat remains outside the host cell.
Viroids lacks the protein coat and have only the genetic material (RNA). Prions are infectious proteins.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.