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A microbiologist obtained two pure biological samples: one of a virus, and the other of a viroid. Unfortunately, the labels had been lost. The microbiologist felt she could distinguish the two by analyzing for the presence or absence of a single molecule. What molecule would she search for and why?

User Axelrod
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The researcher could look for the presence of proteins, because viruses have a envelope (capsid) composed of proteins that involve their genetic material. The capsid may have a helical or icosahedral structure and is extremely regular. Viroids cannot synthesize any type of protein, so differentiation is possible.

User Kalianey
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