GED Science : Viruses

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Biology And Life Sciences

What is one of the primary reasons that viruses are not considered living organisms?

Possible Answers:

They do not have nucleic acids

They are capable of causing disease

They do not make their own proteins

They do not use proteins in their structures

Correct answer:

They do not make their own proteins

Explanation:

Viruses are considered non-living organisms for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is that viruses are incapable of creating their own proteins and must hijack host cell ribosomes in order to make them.

Virus structures contain both proteins and nucleic acids, but are unable to replicate their genetic material unless they infect a host cell.

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