The Smallest Known Infectious Agent, Consisting Only of Nucleic Acid

question 74

Short Answer

The smallest known infectious agent, consisting only of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat, is a(n) ________.

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Definitions:

Diastereomer

Stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other, differing in the orientation of substituents around one or more stereocenters.

Diastereomers

Stereoisomers that are not mirror images of each other, differing in the configuration at one or more (but not all) of the chiral centers in molecules.

Chiral

Describes a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image, often leading to different reactions or interactions for each form.

Diastereomer

Molecules that are stereoisomers, not mirror images of each other and have more than one chiral center.