Which of the following is NOT true of viruses?
A cellular
B. Diverse
C No plasma membrane
D Obligate intracellular parasites
E. Reproduce by themselves
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: E. Reproduce by themselves
Viruses are unique infectious agents that differ significantly from living organisms. The statement that viruses “reproduce by themselves” is not true. Unlike bacteria or fungi that can divide and multiply independently, viruses lack the necessary cellular machinery to carry out reproduction on their own. They are entirely dependent on a host cell for replication.
Viruses are acellular, meaning they are not composed of cells. This makes them fundamentally different from all forms of cellular life. Instead, viruses consist of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, enclosed within a protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane, but this is not the same as a true plasma membrane.
They are also obligate intracellular parasites, which means they must enter a living host cell to replicate. Once inside, a virus hijacks the host’s cellular machinery to produce viral components, assemble new virus particles, and eventually release them to infect other cells. Outside a host, viruses are inert and do not carry out any biological functions.
Viruses are diverse in many ways. They vary in shape, size, genetic composition, and mode of infection. Some infect animals, others infect plants, and some even target bacteria (these are called bacteriophages).
Because viruses lack a plasma membrane, cellular organelles, and the ability to perform metabolic processes, they are not considered living organisms by most definitions. Their reproduction depends entirely on invading a host and using its biological systems.
In conclusion, the incorrect statement about viruses is that they “reproduce by themselves.” Viruses cannot reproduce independently and must infect host cells to make copies of themselves. This key feature is one of the primary distinctions between viruses and living organisms.