Chapter 17, Problem 1TYU

which of me following characteristics. structures. or processes is common to both bacteria and viruses?

1. A.    metabolism
2. B.     ribosomes
3. C.     genetic material composed of nucleic acid
4. D.    cell division

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Bacteria are single-celled micro-organisms that are present in diverse environments. Most of them are harmless and inhabit the human intestine. Bacterial infections include tuberculosis, strep throat, urinary tract infections, and others. Viruses are smaller in size than bacteria and they require a living host for their survival. Common cold, chicken pox, and herpes are some of the diseases caused by viruses.

Answer to Problem 1TYU

Correct answer:

The property that is common to both viruses and bacteria is that their genetic material is made up of nucleic acids, which are made up of nucleotides and serves as the heredity transferring material in both the organisms. Therefore, option (C) is the correct.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct statement:

Bacteria are independent of other organisms for their growth and survival. Whereas, viruses depend on the host cell for their growth and replication. The genetic material of bacteria floats freely in the cytoplasm of the cell, whereas the genetic material of viruses is covered by a protein coat called capsid.

Option (C) is given as “genetic material is composed of nucleic acids”.

“The genetic material which is composed of nucleic acid is common to both bacteria and viruses” is the right answer.

Hence, option (C) is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statement:

Option (A) is given as “metabolism”.

Viruses do not have their own metabolic machinery. They depend on the host’s metabolic machinery for their metabolism. However, bacteria have their own metabolic machinery and hence they are able to carry out all their metabolic functions. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Option (B) is given as “ribosomes”.

Bacteria consist of ribosomes whereas viruses lack ribosomes. Hence, they cannot synthesize proteins and they depend on host cells. Therefore, it is the wrong answer.

Option (D) is given as “cell division”.

The bacterial cell divides by fission. However, viruses depend on the host cell in order to produce multiple copies and the process of assembly also occurs in the host. Hence, it is the wrong answer.

Hence, options (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Like bacteria, viral genetic information is also coded in the form of nucleic acids. Hence, this is the characteristic that is common to both the microbes.