What term describes a tiny, nonliving particle that invades and reproduces inside a living cell?

What term describes a tiny, nonliving particle that invades and reproduces inside a living cell?

• A. Virus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Fungus
• D. Protozoa

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that viruses are tiny, nonliving particles that must invade a living cell to reproduce. A virus can’t carry out metabolism or make new parts on its own, so outside a host it’s basically inert. To replicate, a virus attaches to a living cell, injects its genetic material, and hijacks the cell’s machinery to produce viral components, assemble new virus particles, and release them, often destroying the host cell in the process. This dependence on a host cell and its lack of independent life explain why it’s described as a nonliving invader that reproduces inside living cells. In contrast, bacteria are living single-celled organisms that can grow and reproduce on their own; fungi are living organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular with their own metabolism; and protozoa are single-celled living organisms as well.

The main idea is that viruses are tiny, nonliving particles that must invade a living cell to reproduce. A virus can’t carry out metabolism or make new parts on its own, so outside a host it’s basically inert. To replicate, a virus attaches to a living cell, injects its genetic material, and hijacks the cell’s machinery to produce viral components, assemble new virus particles, and release them, often destroying the host cell in the process. This dependence on a host cell and its lack of independent life explain why it’s described as a nonliving invader that reproduces inside living cells. In contrast, bacteria are living single-celled organisms that can grow and reproduce on their own; fungi are living organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular with their own metabolism; and protozoa are single-celled living organisms as well.