What is a characteristic of a prion that makes it particularly dangerous?

• A. It can be easily destroyed by heat
• B. It triggers a strong immune response
• C. It cannot be detected by standard screenings
• D. It does not contain any nucleic acid

Answer: (D)

A prion is a type of infectious agent that is fundamentally different from viruses and bacteria because it consists solely of misfolded proteins and lacks any nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). This absence of nucleic acid is a crucial aspect of prions that contributes to their danger. Traditional methods of detection and treatment that target nucleic acids, such as those used for viral infections, are ineffective against prions.

Additionally, because prions are proteins and do not trigger a typical immune response like other pathogens, the body is less capable of recognizing and combating them. This makes prions particularly insidious, as they can proliferate in the body without eliciting a strong defense from the immune system. Consequently, their unique structure and behavior lead to challenges in both detection and treatment, ultimately contributing to their classification as dangerous infectious agents.