Question

What life characteristics do viruses have?

Answer 1

Viruses:

1. Viruses are small infectious microbes that infect almost all living cells.
2. They are acellular and cannot conduct their own metabolic process as they are devoid of any cell membrane and cellular organelles.
3. Viral cells can replicate only by infecting host cells.
4. The genetic material in a virus is either DNA or RNA.
5. The virus contains a protein coat known as the capsid that encloses the genetic material.