MDCAT Biology MCQ #97

Viroids are small, circular RNA molecules that infect plants. How do they cause disease despite not coding for any proteins or having a capsid?

MDCAT Biology MCQ #97

  1. Question 1

    Q1. Viroids are small, circular RNA molecules that infect plants. How do they cause disease despite not coding for any proteins or having a capsid?

    • A) Interfering with host gene regulation
    • B) Secreting cellulase to destroy cell walls
    • C) Blocking the host's mitochondrial ATP production
    • D) Integrating into the host's chloroplast DNA

    Answer: Interfering with host gene regulation

    Explanation: Viroids are thought to interfere with host gene expression via RNA silencing. They do not code for enzymes like cellulase to destroy cell walls.