microbiology chapter 12 test bank Related

Review microbiology chapter 12 test bank related questions and content

Which of the following lack nucleic acids?

  • A. Archaea
  • B. Viruses
  • C. Prions
  • D. Bacteria
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Prions. Prions are infectious proteins that lack nucleic acids, such as DNA or RNA, which are essential components of all other living organisms, including Archaea, Bacteria, and Viruses. Prions are unique in their ability to cause protein misfolding and aggregation in the brain, leading to various neurodegenerative diseases. The other choices (A: Archaea, B: Viruses, D: Bacteria) all contain nucleic acids in the form of DNA or RNA, making them distinct from prions. Therefore, C is the correct answer in this case.