Question

What is the word “prion” actually an abbreviation for? How do prion deffer from viruses? Why is the distinction important in terms of “killing” a virus v. “Killing “ a prion?

Answer 1

they are abbreviated from proteinaceous infectious particles

Prions are infectious agents composed entirely of a protein material that can fold in multiple, structurally abstract ways, at least one of which is transmissible to other prion proteins, leading to disease in a manner that is epidemiologically comparable to the spread of viral infection. Prions composed of the prion protein (PrP) are believed to be the cause of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) among other diseases.

Prions:

Prions are a protein. Imagine a puzzle piece. Prions destroy the brain by making every other protein conform to the way they are, changing the shapes of them and destroying the way the tissue was originally.

Viruses: Viruses are like Robots that have genetic information- they pump this information into cells, reprogramming the cells to make more robots instead of cell stuff. Then the cells explode, releasing more evil virus robots. That's how viruses destroy cells.