Question

how are viroids different from viruses?

Answer 1

Viroids are free RNA molecules of low molecular weight without any protein coat while viruses can have either RNA or DNA molecules encapsulated in a protein coat. Viroids are smaller in size than viruses.

Answer 2

Viroids are free RNA molecules of low molecular weight without any protein coat while viruses can have either RNA or DNA molecules encapsulated in a protein coat. Viroids are smaller in size than viruses.

Viroids are infectious agents of plants consisting of only a short, single stranded of RNA without protein coat while viruses are obligate intracellular parasites made up of nucleic acid and proteins.

Viroids only infects plants while viruses infects all types of organisms.