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A student is comparing the two different unknowns described in the table.

Unknown 1
Unknown 2
Consists of a protein capsid encapsulating
Consists of a semipermeable membrane encapsulating
cytoplasm and DNA nucleoid
genetic material
Requires a host cell to replicate
Able to reproduce without a host cell
Pathogenic to humans
Pathogenic to cells
Which conclusion is best supported by the information, and which piece of evidence supports the conclusion?
x
x
A Conclusion: Unknown 1 is a fungus, while Unknown 2 is a bacterial cell.
Evidence: The conclusion is supported by Unknown 1 needing a host cell to replicate, and
Unknown 2 being a living cell with a nucleoid.
B
C
Conclusion: Unknown 1 is a virus, while Unknown 2 is a bacterial cell.
Evidence: The conclusion is supported because both unknowns are pathogens, and all viruses
and bacteria are pathogenic to humans.
Q Search
Conclusion: Unknown 1 is a bacterial cell, while Unknown 2 is a fungus.
Evidence: The conclusion is supported because both unknowns are pathogens, and all bacteria
and fungi are pathogenic to humans.
D Conclusion: Unknown 1 is a virus, while Unknown 2 is a bacterial cell.
Evidence: The conclusion is supported by Unknown 1 needing a host cell to replicate, and
Unknown 2 being a living cell with a nucleold.

A student is comparing the two different unknowns described in the table. Unknown-example-1

2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

The best conclusion from the information provided is that Unknown 1 is a virus and Unknown 2 is a bacterial cell. Viruses require a host to replicate and have no cellular structure, while bacteria can reproduce independently and have a cellular structure with a DNA nucleoid.

Step-by-step explanation:

Differences Between Viruses and Bacteria

The conclusion that best fits the information provided is D: Unknown 1 is a virus, while Unknown 2 is a bacterial cell. The evidence supporting this conclusion is that Unknown 1 requires a host cell to replicate, which is characteristic of viruses, and Unknown 2 can reproduce without a host cell and has a semipermeable membrane encapsulating cytoplasm and a DNA nucleoid, which are characteristic of bacterial cells. Viruses, unlike bacteria, are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they must infect a host cell to replicate. They do not have a cellular structure and are not considered alive because they lack a plasma membrane, internal organelles, and metabolic processes. In contrast, bacteria are living cells that can grow and reproduce independently of a host.

Viruses and living organisms share the characteristics of having genetic material and the ability to evolve. However, viruses cannot carry out metabolic processes on their own, do not grow, do not respond to their environment, and are not made of cells, which are key characteristics that define living organisms.

Advantages to Viruses Keeping Hosts Alive

By keeping the host cell alive, such as the influenza virus exiting the host cell without killing it, the virus ensures it has a sustainable environment to continue replicating and spreading to new hosts, thus increasing its chances of survival and proliferation.

User Rusly
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The best supported conclusion is:

Conclusion: Unknown 1 is a virus, while Unknown 2 is a bacterial cell.

Evidence: The conclusion is supported by Unknown 1 needing a host cell to replicate, and Unknown 2 being a living cell with a nucleoid.

Option A is incorrect because fungi do not require a host cell to replicate.

Option B is incorrect because not all bacteria and viruses are necessarily pathogenic to humans.

Option C is incorrect because bacteria and fungi are two distinct groups of organisms, and it is unlikely that both unknowns belong to different groups.

Therefore, option D is the best supported conclusion based on the given information.
User Anthony Hervy
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8.1k points