What is a defining structural feature of a virus that distinguishes it from a typical living cell, such as a bacterium?

Explanation

A virus is fundamentally different from a typical living cell, such as a bacterium, because it consists simply of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, enclosed within a protective protein coat, lacking the full cellular structures and independent metabolic machinery found in living cells. Because of this simple structure, viruses cannot reproduce or carry out life processes on their own and must instead infect a living host cell, hijacking its machinery to make copies of themselves. This fundamental difference in structure is also part of why antibiotics, which typically target processes within living bacterial cells, are ineffective against viral infections. Explore more Everyday Science MCQs on mcqstutor to keep practicing.