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T.O. Diener discovered a
A
Bacteriophage
B
Free infectious DNA
C
Free infectious RNA
D
Infectious protein
Detailed Solution
In 1971 T.O. Diener discovered a new infectious agent, smaller than viruses, that caused potato spindle tuber disease.
It was found to be a free RNA; it lacked the protein coat that is found in viruses, hence the name viroid.
The RNA of the viroid is of low molecular weight.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria (discovered by Twort and d'Herelle), and infectious proteins are prions (Prusiner).
Hence Diener discovered a free infectious RNA.
It was found to be a free RNA; it lacked the protein coat that is found in viruses, hence the name viroid.
The RNA of the viroid is of low molecular weight.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria (discovered by Twort and d'Herelle), and infectious proteins are prions (Prusiner).
Hence Diener discovered a free infectious RNA.