Final answer:
Viruses contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material, but they do not have cells, cannot reproduce on their own, and do not require energy as they do not have metabolic processes; however, they can evolve, which brings controversy to their classification as living or non-living.
Step-by-step explanation:
Out of the options given regarding how viruses differ from living organisms, the statement that viruses do not have genetic material is incorrect. In fact, viruses do contain genetic material, which can be either DNA or RNA, enclosed within a protein coat known as a capsid. They do not have cells and cannot reproduce on their own; instead, they must hijack a host cell to replicate. Additionally, viruses do not require energy to survive because they do not have metabolic processes.
Viruses differ from living organisms in several key ways:
- Viruses cannot reproduce independently; they must infect and use a host cell's machinery to replicate.
- Viruses do not have cells, lacking cellular components such as a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.
- Viruses do not require energy in the form of metabolism and do not maintain homeostasis.
- They have a simple structure, typically consisting of genetic material and a protein coat.
However, like living organisms, viruses contain DNA or RNA, which enables them to evolve over time through mutations. While they cannot perform the functions of living cells, their capacity to evolve has made the classification of viruses controversial, leading to debates in the scientific community about the very definition of life.