SSC Selection Post 2025 PYQ — Question 7

Correct Answer

Influenza in Humans

Explanation

Prions are infectious protein particles that cause severe neurodegenerative diseases by inducing abnormal folding of normal proteins. Unlike viruses, bacteria, or fungi, prions do not contain DNA or RNA.

Scrapie in sheep, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or “mad cow disease” in cattle, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans are all caused by prions.

In contrast, influenza is caused by the influenza virus and is therefore a viral disease, not a prion disease. Hence, influenza is the correct answer.

Key Points

• Prions are infectious proteins that do not contain nucleic acids.

• Scrapie is a prion disease found in sheep.

• BSE (mad cow disease) is a prion disease affecting cattle.

• CJD is a prion disease that occurs in humans.

• Influenza is a viral disease, not a prion disease.

Additional Facts

• Prion diseases are collectively known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs).

• These diseases cause sponge-like degeneration of brain tissue.

• Scientist Stanley Prusiner received the Nobel Prize in 1997 for the discovery of prions.

Important Questions

Question: Which is the major prion disease found in humans?

Answer: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

Question: What is the scientific name of “mad cow disease”?

Answer: Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).