• Definition: Prions are abnormal, misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases (like Mad Cow disease or CJD). The term was coined by Stanley Prusiner, derived from "proteinaceous infectious particle".

• No Nucleic Acid: Unlike viruses or bacteria, prions are unique because they lack nucleic acids (DNA or RNA).

• Not Nucleoprotein entities: That describes viruses.

• Not Possessed infectious genetic material: Prions do not have genetic material.

• Not Discovered by T.O. Diener: T.O. Diener discovered viroids (infectious RNA), not prions.

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