Florida Biology EOC Practice Test 2025 - Free Biology End-of-Course Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

What is a virus primarily composed of?

Cell membrane and proteins

DNA and ribosomes

Nucleic acid and a protein coat

A virus is primarily composed of nucleic acid and a protein coat. This structure is fundamental to its function and classification. The nucleic acid can be either DNA or RNA, which carries the genetic information necessary for the virus to infect host cells and replicate. The protein coat, known as a capsid, protects the nucleic acid and helps the virus attach to and penetrate the host cell.

This composition is distinct from cellular organisms, which have complex structures including membranes and organelles. By focusing on nucleic acid and the protein coat, one can understand why viruses are considered acellular entities, lacking the basic cellular structures typical of living organisms. This simplicity is key to their method of replication, as viruses rely entirely on host cells' machinery to reproduce and spread.

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Lipid bilayer and nucleotides

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