A scientist was investigating a specimen in a laboratory. She is attempting to determine whether it is a virus or not. Which of the following would allow the scientist to decide that it is not a virus?

Question

The specimen is extremely small

The specimen has organelles

The specimen contains DNA

The specimen has a protein coat

Answer 1

To determine whether the specimen is a virus or not, the presence of organelles would allow the scientist to decide that it is not a virus.

Viruses are acellular and do not have organelles; they are essentially composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. The presence of organelles indicates that the specimen is likely a cell (eukaryotic or prokaryotic) and not a virus.

Therefore, the correct answer is: The specimen has organelles.