Definition for prion - Oxford Dictionaries Online (World English)

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	prion2 (prion) Pronunciation: /ˈpriːɒn/ noun Microbiology a protein particle that is believed to be the cause of brain diseases such as BSE, scrapie, and CJD. Prions are not visible microscopically, contain no nucleic acid, and are highly resistant to destruction. Compare with virino. Origin: 1980s: by rearrangement of elements from pro(teinaceous) in(fectious particle).		Search results in the dictionary prion¹ More results » More words in this category acid-fast acidophilic aflatoxin bacteriocin chemoautotroph Cyanobacteria diphtheroid diplococcus hantavirus herpesvirus impetigo melioidosis pathogen peptidoglycan propionibacterium reovirus revertant spirillum tetracycline treponeme Nearby Words printer-friendly printery printhead printing printing press printmaker printout printworks prion ¹ prion ² prior ¹ prior ² prior charge prior probability prior restraint prioress prioritize priority priory