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Multiple Choice
This type of acellular infectious agent is only known to infect plants and is a small, circular, single-stranded nucleic acid molecule.
A
Archaea.
B
Prion.
C
Virus.
D
Viroid.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the characteristics of the infectious agent described in the problem: it is acellular, infects plants, and consists of a small, circular, single-stranded nucleic acid molecule.
Understand the nature of acellular infectious agents: these include viruses, viroids, and prions, each with distinct characteristics.
Recognize that viroids are known for infecting plants and are composed solely of a short strand of circular, single-stranded RNA without a protein coat.
Differentiate viroids from other acellular agents: viruses have a protein coat and can infect various organisms, prions are infectious proteins affecting animals, and archaea are cellular organisms.
Conclude that the description matches a viroid, as it specifically infects plants and consists of a single-stranded nucleic acid without a protein coat.