Final answer:
Prions are the infectious agents that do not contain nucleic acids, differing from bacteria, viruses, and fungi, all of which possess genetic material required for their replication. The correct answer is option c).
Step-by-step explanation:
Of the infectious agents listed, prions are unique in that they do not contain nucleic acids, meaning they lack both DNA and RNA. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi all have genetic material that is essential for their replication and function. Prions, however, are distinct in that they are solely composed of misfolded proteins.
It can induce other normally folded proteins to also become misfolded, leading to disease. These prions cause several neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.
The infectious nature of prions without the presence of nucleic acids was a groundbreaking discovery by Stanley Prusiner, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for this work. Understanding the nature of prions has broadened our perspective on the variety of mechanisms through which infectivity can occur.