Prions are a type of protein that can cause serious neurological diseases in humans and animals. These proteins are found in the brain and nervous system and are responsible for many normal functions, including cell signaling, neurotransmission, and synaptic plasticity. However, when they become mutated, they can cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans and scrapie in sheep.
Prions are unique because they do not contain any nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), which is what all other known pathogens contain. This makes them extremely difficult to destroy using traditional methods such as heat or UV radiation. As a result, prion diseases can be very difficult to treat and often lead to death. There is currently no cure for prion diseases and no way to prevent their spread.
The best way to avoid contracting a prion disease is by avoiding contact with contaminated tissues or body fluids from an infected individual. In addition, strict hygiene measures should be taken when handling meat products from animals that may be infected with prions (such as deer or elk). If you think you may have been exposed to a prion disease, it is important to seek medical attention immediately as these diseases can progress rapidly and be fatal.