Which of the following statements is/are correct? Viruses can infect

Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Viruses can infect

  • bacteria
  • fungi
  • plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only
3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
The correct option is D, as viruses can infect bacteria, fungi, and plants.
– Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that infect a vast range of living organisms across all domains of life.
– Statement 1 is correct: Viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages.
– Statement 2 is correct: Viruses that infect fungi are called mycoviruses.
– Statement 3 is correct: Viruses that infect plants are called plant viruses and cause numerous plant diseases.
Viruses are highly specific in their hosts, with different types of viruses infecting different types of organisms. However, collectively, viruses can infect virtually all forms of cellular life, including bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, plants, and animals.