Why can’t viruses maintain their own homeostasis?

• A. They lack cellular structures and independent metabolism, so they must rely on a host cell’s machinery to regulate internal conditions.
• B. They have a cell wall that blocks nutrient exchange and disrupts internal balance.
• C. They are too small to contain DNA, so they cannot encode proteins needed for regulation.
• D. They reproduce by binary fission, which prevents stable internal regulation.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of homeostasis: it is the ability of an organism or cell to maintain stable internal conditions (such as pH, temperature, and nutrient levels) despite changes in the external environment.
2. Recognize that homeostasis requires cellular structures and metabolic processes to regulate and adjust internal conditions actively.
3. Recall that viruses are acellular entities; they do not have cellular structures like membranes, organelles, or cytoplasm, which are essential for maintaining homeostasis.
4. Note that viruses lack independent metabolism—they cannot produce energy or synthesize molecules on their own and must hijack a host cell's machinery to replicate and function.
5. Conclude that because viruses depend entirely on host cells for metabolic activities and lack the necessary cellular components, they cannot maintain their own homeostasis.