Virus has protein coat as well as DNA and RNA whereas Viroids has no protein coat and contains only RNA.
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Difference Table for Virus and Viroids
| Characteristics | Virus | Viroids |
| Genetic Material | DNA and RNA | RNA Only |
| Infect | All Organisms | Only Plants |
| Size | Bigger | Smaller |
| Examples | HIV, Rhinovirus | Potato spindle tuber,Coconut cadang-cadang |
Common Characteristics of Virus and Viroids
- Both virus and viroids are Infectious Agents
- Non cellular organism
- Kind of parasites which require host cell
- Dormant(Inactive) till it hijacks host cell
- Cannot replicate without help of the host cell