Nucleotide analogs are a class of drugs that are highly effective against many types of viruses. They work by halting the replication of viral genes. They are equally effective at stopping the spread of prion diseases.

Question

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

Answer 1

False

Clarify Question
• What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses prions.
• What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.

Gather Content
• What do you already know about prions?
        o A prion is a "proteinaceous infectious particle."
        o Prions occur because certain proteins can sometimes misfold, and then catalyze other proteins to do the same, with misfolding spreading like a chain reaction.

Choose Answer
• Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o A nucleotide analog drug would inhibit viral genome replication because it can substitute into the spot of a nucleotide, and break the nucleic acid chain.
        o However, prions do not have a nucleic acid genome. They are just made of protein. Therefore, such a drug would not affect them.

Reflect on Process
• Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
        o Did you recognize that prions lack a nucleic acid genome, and they are simply made of protein?