Question

Identify the characteristics of a virus.
Check all that apply.

measures 20-300 nanometers

grows and reproduces

infects all forms of living cells

contains a cell membrane

does not respond to stimuli

contains DNA or RNA, not both

Answer 1

Check the following (true for viruses):

- measures 20–300 nanometers
- infects all forms of living cells (viruses exist that infect animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and archaea)
- does not respond to stimuli
- contains DNA or RNA, not both

Not true / do not apply:

- grows and reproduces (viruses do not grow and cannot reproduce independently; they replicate only inside host cells)
- contains a cell membrane (viruses lack cells; some have a lipid envelope derived from a host membrane, but they do not have a cellular membrane)