Question

Which statement most accurately describes a virus?
Responses

A virus is living because it has an envelope that acts like a cell membrane.
A virus is living because it has an envelope that acts like a cell membrane.

A virus is nonliving because it lacks an energy-producing cell organelle.
A virus is nonliving because it lacks an energy-producing cell organelle.

A virus is living because it has DNA that stores genetic information.
A virus is living because it has DNA that stores genetic information.

A virus is nonliving because it lacks an organelle that allows movement.
A virus is nonliving because it lacks an organelle that allows movement.

Answer 1

"A virus is nonliving because it lacks an energy-producing cell organelle."

Reason: viruses are acellular and lack the organelles and metabolic machinery (e.g., mitochondria) necessary to generate energy or carry out independent metabolism and reproduction. They require a host cell to replicate. (Note: some viruses have RNA rather than DNA, so presence of DNA is not a universal criterion for life.)