Question

Which statement best explains why viruses can only reproduce within a host?

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Viruses need the host to provide nutrients.

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Viruses lack the genes necessary for transcription.

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Viruses lack the ribosomes necessary to make their own proteins.

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Viruses need the host cell to break down their cell membranes.

Answer 1

Viruses lack the ribosomes necessary to make their own proteins.

Explanation: Viruses do not have the cellular machinery (ribosomes and other metabolic systems) for protein synthesis and replication, so they must use a host cell's machinery to reproduce.