viranoiden
Viranoids are a hypothetical type of self-replicating molecule or structure that are proposed to exist in environments where traditional cellular life might not be possible. The term "viranoid" is derived from "virus" and "viroid," reflecting their potential viral-like replication mechanisms and their simpler, non-encapsulated nature, similar to viroids. Unlike viruses, which are composed of genetic material enclosed in a protein coat, and viroids, which are small, circular RNA molecules that infect plants, viranoids are envisioned as even more basic entities.
The concept of viranoids often arises in discussions of the origins of life and astrobiology, particularly
Research into viranoids is largely theoretical and speculative. Scientists explore their potential as a primitive form