Prions are

Options

A. Larger than viruses
B. Abnormally folded genetic material
C. Causal agent of mad cow disease
D. Devoid of proteins

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Prions:**
- Prions are infectious agents that are primarily composed of protein. Unlike viruses, they do not contain nucleic acids (DNA or RNA).

2. **Characteristics of Prions:**
- Prions are known to be misfolded proteins. This misfolding is what allows them to induce other normal proteins to also misfold, leading to disease.
- They are the smallest infectious protein particles and are highly infectious.

3. **Diseases Caused by Prions:**
- In animals, prions are known to cause Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as "mad cow disease."
- In humans, prions can cause Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is a neurodegenerative disorder.

4. **Evaluating the Options:**
- **Option A:** "Prions are larger than viruses." - This is incorrect. Prions are not larger than viruses.
- **Option B:** "Abnormally folded genetic material." - This is incorrect. Prions are abnormally folded proteins, not genetic material.
- **Option C:** "Causal agent of the Mad Cow disease." - This is correct. Prions are indeed the causal agents of mad cow disease.
- **Option D:** "Devoid of proteins." - This is incorrect. Prions are proteins.

5. **Conclusion:**
- The correct answer is **Option C:** "Causal agent of the Mad Cow disease."