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Why are viruses not able to make their own proteins?

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Answer:

Because viruses do not have their own cellular mechinary. They lack enzymes for replication of DNA and to produce their protein.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Darkonaut
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Viruses don't make their own proteins because they are not cells. A virus is a nucleic acid enclosed in a protein coat, and does not contain organelles. Bacteriophages, viruses that target bacteria as a host, inject their genetic material into the host bacterial cell. Therefore, cells don't even need proteins, (not including their protein coat) so they do not make them.

*Keep in mind that since there are no organelles, there are no ribosomes for the RNA (ribonucleic-acid) to deliver the coded message and amino acids to.

User Prichmp
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