1. Plural of prion; infectious proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing normal proteins to misfold.
Usage: scientific/medical term; always plural in this form

Examples

• Prions are responsible for diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
• Mad cow disease is caused by prions that accumulate in the brain.
• Scientists study prions to understand how misfolded proteins spread.
• Unlike viruses and bacteria, prions contain no genetic material.
• Prions can be transmitted through contaminated food or medical instruments.