Which one of the following statements is correct about a virus?

Which one of the following statements is correct about a virus?

It is a free-living organism.
It contains nucleic acid and protein.
It can synthesize proteins.
It can generate its own energy.
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
The correct statement about a virus is that it contains nucleic acid and protein.
Viruses are acellular entities composed primarily of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane.
Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they cannot replicate or carry out metabolic processes independently. They rely on the host cell’s machinery for protein synthesis, energy generation, and replication. Unlike free-living organisms, viruses cannot survive or reproduce outside of a host cell.
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