virusoid

9.9

A very small infectious particle in plants made of circular genetic material that needs a helper to copy itself

noun
/ˈvaɪrəˌsɔɪd/

Specialized

: virusoid

Because a virusoid lacks a protein coat, it relies entirely on its RNA for infection.

Examples

A virusoid can only replicate in the presence of a helper virus.
Researchers discovered a new virusoid affecting certain crop species.
A virusoid can replicate independently of a virus.
Many plants are affected by virusoids.
Researchers discovered a new virusoid affecting certain crop species.
A virusoid can only replicate in the presence of a helper virus.
Because a virusoid lacks a protein coat, it relies entirely on its RNA for infection.

Synonyms

viroid

vsvirusoid

Specialized

1 9.9

A tiny infectious particle of circular RNA with no protein coat that makes plants sick

is a smaller subviral circular RNA agent defined by size rather than disease

Surface Forms

virusoid singular

virusoids plural

Morphology

virusoid = virus (semi-transparent) = virus + oid

The suffix '-oid' regularly means 'resembling' or 'like', so 'virus' + '-oid' straightforwardly yields 'virus-like'.

Etymology

The word virusoid comes from virus and the ending -oid, which means 'like' or 'similar to'. So a virusoid is 'like' a virus — a very small, incomplete one that must use a helper virus to make copies.