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Glite Dictionary
viroid

viroid

1 9.9
A tiny infectious particle of circular RNA with no protein coat that makes plants sick
  • noun
  • /ˈvaɪrɔɪd/
  • Specialized
: viroide
  • Different from viruses, the viroid lacks a protein envelope and the genome is a closed, single-stranded RNA molecule.
  • spindle tuber viroid
  • potato spindle viroid

Examples

  • A shipment of Maine seed potatoes was prohibited from being planted in New Brunswick, Canada, because it was believed to be infected with potato spindle tuber viroid.

    Academic text (2006)

  • These assays provide sensitive, rapid detection of infected plants and identify any viroids present.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Alone, the viroid was inert.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • They had found a viroid that had an affinity for some blood groups, he said.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • But it took six painstaking years for him to amass the evidence to prove that the viroid life form exists.

    Academic text (2001)

  • Like a virus, a viroid invades cells and hijacks their reproductive mechanism.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The crux of the matter was what type of test would be used to determine whether potato spindle tuber viroid was present.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The researchers detected the presence of a viroid in the infected plants during their study.

  • Potato spindle tuber viroid is known to cause significant damage to potato crops.

  • Farmers need to be aware of the symptoms caused by viroids in their plants to take preventive measures.

Synonyms

virusoid
vsviroid
  • Specialized
9.9

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

is defined by causing disease in plants rather than by being smaller than viruses

Surface Forms

viroid singular
viroids plural

Morphology

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

Formed from 'virus' + the productive suffix '-oid' meaning 'resembling virus'; the scientific, specific meaning (a distinct, coatless RNA agent) is more specialized than the simple 'virus-like' inference.

Etymology

The word viroid comes from virus plus the ending -oid, which means 'like', as in asteroid or humanoid. So a viroid is 'virus-like' — a very small infectious strand of RNA that lacks the usual protein coat, which is why it gets that name.