The brain damage noted in a human who has contracted BSE ("Mad Cow Disease")is caused by a
A) type of protein known as a prion.
B) virus.
C) bacterium.
D) deficiency in blood levels of calcium.
E) kuru virus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The brain damage observed in a human with BSE, also known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), is due to a type of protein known as a prion. These prions are misfolded versions of normal cellular proteins that accumulate in the brain, eventually leading to neurological symptoms such as dementia, muscle stiffness, and paralysis. Unlike viruses or bacteria, prions do not contain DNA or RNA, and are not destroyed by typical sterilization methods such as heat or radiation.

The Brain Damage Noted in a Human Who Has Contracted