Virus is best described as

Virus is best described as

• A. Bacteria
• B. Submicroscopic parasite
• C. Fungi
• D. Protozoan

Answer: (B)

A virus is best described as a submicroscopic parasite. Viruses are not cells and cannot carry out metabolism or reproduce on their own; they consist of genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with a lipid envelope, and are too small to be seen with a light microscope. They must invade a host cell and hijack its machinery to replicate, making them obligate intracellular parasites. This distinguishes them from cellular organisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which have their own cellular structure and metabolism and can often grow and reproduce independently. In summary, viruses are acellular, extremely small parasites that rely on living cells for reproduction.

A virus is best described as a submicroscopic parasite. Viruses are not cells and cannot carry out metabolism or reproduce on their own; they consist of genetic material inside a protein coat, sometimes with a lipid envelope, and are too small to be seen with a light microscope. They must invade a host cell and hijack its machinery to replicate, making them obligate intracellular parasites. This distinguishes them from cellular organisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, which have their own cellular structure and metabolism and can often grow and reproduce independently. In summary, viruses are acellular, extremely small parasites that rely on living cells for reproduction.