Question

Choose the correct option regarding the given assertion and reason.

Assertion [A]: Viruses are classified as living organism.

Reason[R]: They have very simple, cellular structure.

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are correct. But R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C. Both A and R are incorrect.
• D. A is incorrect but R is correct.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both A and R are incorrect.

Viruses are parasites. They comprise of genetic material (DNA/RNA) enclosed within a proteinaceous coat. They are inactive when they are outside a host. When they enter the host cell, they become active. They use the host machinery to replicate and create new viruses. Since they are dead outside and alive when inside the host, they are not classified as living organisms.