Viruses reproduce through the use of host cells. In this process, viruses reproduce by injecting their DNA into the host cell and using the cell's structures to create copies of itself. After numerous copies are made, the host cell bursts and the new viruses are released. Depending on the type of virus and the host cell, hundreds or thousands of viruses can be released in this burst. These viruses then go on to reproduce through new host cells. Bacteria, however, reproduce using binary fission. In this process, a bacterium splits into two identical daughter cells. In favorable conditions, bacteria can divide once every 20 minutes. This means that a single bacterium can turn into a colony of over a billion bacteria in about ten hours. Which statement correctly compares viral and bacterial reproduction?

Question

Viruses reproduce through the use of host cells. In this process, viruses reproduce by injecting their DNA into the host cell and using the cell's structures to create copies of itself. After numerous copies are made, the host cell bursts and the new viruses are released. Depending on the type of virus and the host cell, hundreds or thousands of viruses can be released in this burst. These viruses then go on to reproduce through new host cells. Bacteria, however, reproduce using binary fission. In this process, a bacterium splits into two identical daughter cells. In favorable conditions, bacteria can divide once every 20 minutes. This means that a single bacterium can turn into a colony of over a billion bacteria in about ten hours. Which statement correctly compares viral and bacterial reproduction?
A. Both viruses and bacteria can reproduce without the help of other organisms.
B. Both viruses and bacteria can create large populations in a short time period.
C. Both viruses and bacteria must destroy themselves after they have reproduced
D. Both viruses and bacteria must have very large populations in order to reproduce.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The correct statement that compares viral and bacterial reproduction is:

B. Both viruses and bacteria can create large populations in a short time period.

Explanation: Viruses can produce large numbers of copies of themselves quickly by using host cells, while bacteria can reproduce rapidly through binary fission, allowing them to increase their population significantly in a short amount of time.

The other options are incorrect for the following reasons: A. Viruses cannot reproduce on their own and need host cells, while bacteria can reproduce independently. C. Viruses do not necessarily destroy themselves; they may leave the host cell to infect new cells, while bacteria do not destroy their cells but rather split into two. D. Viruses require host cells to reproduce, so they cannot reproduce at all without the presence of host cells, and bacteria do not need to have large populations to reproduce.