A virus is a genome, or set of chromosomes, contained inside a protein capsule called a capsid. A virus can be either a single or double strand of RNA or DNA. Although viruses are made of genetic information, they do not have cells. They also need to attach to a host cell in order to live and reproduce. Host cells can be from animals, plants and even bacteria and fungi. Scientists debate whether or not viruses are considered living organisms. Most agree that viruses are not living.
Which of these statements is true based on the information in the passage?
A
Viruses can survive independently for many years.
B
Viruses need to have a capsid in order to reproduce.
C
Viruses blur the boundary between what is and is not considered “life.”
D
Viruses and bacteria work in exactly the same way to infect humans.
