Many viruses and bacteria are pathogens which cause disease. Which argument correctly compares viruses and bacteria?

Question

A.
Viruses and bacteria are both living organisms because they are both capable of causing disease.

B.
Viruses and bacteria are both living organisms because they both contain DNA and are capable of reproducing.

C.
Viruses are living organisms because they contain DNA and are capable of reproducing inside of a host cell. Bacteria are not living organisms because they are made up of cells and are capable of causing disease.

D.
Viruses are not living organisms because they are not made up of cells and cannot reproduce outside of a host cell. Bacteria are living organisms because they are made up of cells and do not require a host cell to reproduce.

Answer 1

The correct argument that accurately compares viruses and bacteria is:

D. Viruses are not living organisms because they are not made up of cells and cannot reproduce outside of a host cell. Bacteria are living organisms because they are made up of cells and do not require a host cell to reproduce.

This statement correctly highlights that viruses lack cellular structure and cannot independently reproduce, whereas bacteria are single-celled organisms that can reproduce on their own.