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Context The question explores the unique susceptibility of mammals to prion diseases, questioning why these infectious agents don't seem to impact other animal groups like birds, insects, fish, or reptiles. Simple Answer Prions are like tiny, messed-up proteins that can make other proteins in your body go wrong. These bad proteins can cause big problems in your brain and body. Prions only seem to work in mammals because they fit perfectly with the proteins in our brains. They can't fit with the proteins in other animals like birds, insects, or fish, so they can't cause problems there. It's like trying to put a square peg in a round hole! It just won't work. Detailed Answer Prions are misfolded proteins that have the unique ability to induce a change in the shape of other proteins, leading to the formation of aggregates called amyloid plaques. These plaques are particularly harmful in the brain, as they disrupt normal neuronal function and can lead to neurodegenerati...

Context Mad Cow Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease are both fatal neurodegenerative diseases that affect the brain. Both diseases are caused by prions, which are misfolded proteins that can cause other proteins to misfold as well. However, there are some key differences between the two diseases. Simple Answer Mad Cow Disease is a disease that affects cows, while Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease affects humans. Mad Cow Disease is caused by eating contaminated beef, while Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, age, and exposure to contaminated tissue. Mad Cow Disease has a shorter incubation period than Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, meaning that symptoms appear sooner after exposure. Mad Cow Disease is characterized by behavioral changes and neurological problems, such as tremors and loss of coordination, while Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is characterized by dementia, memory loss, and other neurological problems. There is no cure for either Mad Cow Di...