NURSING ANM AND GNM

Detailed explanation-1: -So, the correct answer is ‘Protein only’.

Detailed explanation-2: -In contrast to viruses or bacteria, unprecedentedly, prions consist of amino acids but lack nucleic acids.

Detailed explanation-3: -Finally, we discuss prions. These infectious agents were originally believed to be anomalous viruses, hence their inclusion here. However, they consist solely of protein, with no enclosed nucleic acid. Thus, they are definitely not viruses despite sharing the superficial properties of size and infectiousness.

Detailed explanation-4: -More recently, a prion has been defined as a nonchromosomal, protein-based genetic element that is capable of converting the copies of its own benign variant into the prion form, with the new phenotypic effects that can be transmitted through the cytoplasm.