Which one of the following statements regarding viruses is not true

Which one of the following statements regarding viruses is not true ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Viruses need living cells to reproduce.” option2=”All viruses are parasites.” option3=”Viruses can synthesize their food through photosynthesis.” option4=”Viruses are similar to chemical substances outside the host.” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2019
The correct option is C) Viruses can synthesize their food through photosynthesis.
Viruses are acellular entities that lack the metabolic machinery necessary for processes like photosynthesis or self-synthesis of food. They are obligate intracellular parasites.
Viruses require a host cell to reproduce because they lack the necessary enzymes and ribosomes. They hijack the host cell’s machinery to replicate. Outside a host cell, a virus particle is essentially an inert complex of genetic material and protein, behaving like a chemical substance. They obtain energy and building blocks from the host cell, not through photosynthesis or any independent metabolic activity.