The feature that distinguishes viruses from all cellular microorganisms is:
b. ability to reproduce independently.
Justification:
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Presence: This option is not unique to viruses. Both viruses and cellular microorganisms (like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa) have a presence in the world around us.
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Ability to reproduce independently: Viruses cannot reproduce independently; they require a host cell to replicate. Cellular microorganisms, in contrast, can reproduce independently through processes like binary fission or mitosis.
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Sensitivity to antibiotics: This option is misleading since antibiotics target bacterial cells and do not affect viruses. Viruses are not sensitive to antibiotics, which makes this option not unique to viruses in distinguishing them from cellular organisms.
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Possession of a lipid membrane: Not all viruses have a lipid membrane (envelope). Some are naked viruses without such membranes, while many cellular organisms do have membranes. Therefore, this characteristic is not universally distinguishing as well.
In summary, the ability to reproduce independently is fundamentally the main characteristic that differentiates cellular organisms from viruses, as viruses require a host for replication.