Virus? living or not? if we use the image as an indicator, we might say living because a) proteins are present. b) it contains a nucleic acid. c) there is a complex structure. d) in a host, it is capable of reproduction.

The correct answer is -

D)in a host, it is capable of reproduction.

Explanation:

Virus can be described as a microscopic, infective, non living agent that typically possesses genetic material (DNA or RNA) that is surrounded by a proteinaceous coat (capsid).

It can not replicate by its own and thus it uses host machinery for replication. In other words, it multiplies within host organism. This is the reason that it can be called as living.

Thus, option D) is the right answer.

There is a long-lasting debate, to wether viruses are living things or not, because they do have many characteristics of living things, but not all of them.

If I were to say viruses where living organisms, it would definitely be because they are capable of reproducing in their hosts (D) because the other ones don't define if someting is living or not.

Hope it helped,

BioTeacher101

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