Question

In numerous studies, treatment of prion preparations with ionizing and UV radiation does not reduce transmission of disease; however, treatment with denaturants reduces disease transmission. What can be inferred from these observations?
Choose all the true statements.
A. Prions do not contain genetic information, which is affected by ionizing radiation.
B. Denaturants may affect the tertiary structure of prions.
C. Prions are proteins.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Prions do not contain genetic information, which is affected by ionizing radiation.

B. Denaturants may affect the tertiary structure of prions.

C. Prions are proteins.

Explanation:

Prions are the proteinaceous infectious particles that cause many degenerative diseases of neurons in both animals and humans. They consist of only protein and no DNA or RNA. Due to the absence of DNA or RNA as genetic material, these infectious particles are resistant to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiations affect nucleic acids of pathogens to destroy them.

Denaturation of proteins affects their secondary and tertiary structures and leave them non-functional. Denaturation may be caused by changes in temperature, pH, disturbance of hydrogen bonds, etc. Therefore, to destroy prions, they need to be denatured.