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. A researcher received two samples: one of a virus, and the other of a viroid.

ID: 133152 • Letter: #

Question

. A researcher received two samples: one of a virus, and the other of a viroid. Unfortunately the labels were lost. Scientist felt that it could be distinguished the two by analyzing the presence or absence of a single molecule. What molecule would be searching for and why? . A researcher received two samples: one of a virus, and the other of a viroid. Unfortunately the labels were lost. Scientist felt that it could be distinguished the two by analyzing the presence or absence of a single molecule. What molecule would be searching for and why? . A researcher received two samples: one of a virus, and the other of a viroid. Unfortunately the labels were lost. Scientist felt that it could be distinguished the two by analyzing the presence or absence of a single molecule. What molecule would be searching for and why?

Explanation / Answer

Viruses are surrounded by a protein coat called as capsid but the viroids do not have this protein coat. The protein coat will contain a small amount of sulfur. If the sulfur is present in the sample then it is a virus sample, and if not then it is a viroid sample.