Question

Which characteristic do viruses possess in common with living cells?

a) They contain a nucleus and organelles.

b) They make their own food.

c) They contain nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA.

d) They are inactive outside the body of living cells.

Answer 1

Viruses lack the structures and abilities to be considered living organisms, but they do have genetic material and can evolve.

Step-by-step explanation:

An individual virus is called a virion. It is a tiny particle much smaller than a prokaryotic cell. Because viruses do not consist of cells, they also lack cell membranes, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and other cell organelles. Without these structures, they are unable to make proteins or even reproduce on their own. Instead, they must depend on a host cell to synthesize their proteins and to make copies of themselves. Although viruses are not classified as living things, they share two important traits with living things. They have genetic material, and they can evolve. This is why the classification of viruses has been controversial. It calls into question just what it means to be alive.

Answer 2

They are inactive outside the body of living cells.