Question

Which characteristic distinguishes viruses from microorganisms such as bacteria and human cells?

a. Viruses are parasitic.Selected:b. Viruses can evolve.This answer is incorrect.c. Viruses contain strands of DNA.d. Viruses can reproduce only inside a host cell.

Answer 1

D Viruses can reproduce only inside a host cell.

Viruses depend on the host cells that they infect to reproduce. When found outside of host cells, viruses exist as a protein coat or capsid, sometimes enclosed within a membrane. The capsid encloses either DNA or RNA which codes for the virus elements.

Answer 2

d. Viruses can reproduce only inside a host cell.

Step-by-step explanation:

Viruses are acellular organisms and although they do not have cells, they are extremely dependent on these structures, since they do not have their own metabolism and do not have any organelles. Viruses can only reproduce within a host cell other than fungi and bacteria.

By parasitizing a cell, they induce the production of viral genetic material and proteins, controlling cellular metabolism. Due to this characteristic, viruses are called obligatory intracellular parasites.

Because they lack metabolism outside a cell, many authors do not admit that they are considered living beings. Other researchers, on the other hand, consider them alive because they can duplicate and exhibit genetic variability. Another point that contributes to this last classification is the presence of molecules such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.