Which characteristic do viruses share with living things?

• A. They contain genetic material such as DNA or RNA.
• B. They can reproduce independently without a host.
• C. They possess cellular organelles like mitochondria.
• D. They carry out metabolic processes on their own.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question is asking about a characteristic that viruses share with living organisms. Living things have several defining features, such as containing genetic material, the ability to reproduce, having cellular structures, and carrying out metabolism.
2. Step 2: Review the options given: (a) viruses contain genetic material such as DNA or RNA, (b) viruses can reproduce independently without a host, (c) viruses possess cellular organelles like mitochondria, and (d) viruses carry out metabolic processes on their own.
3. Step 3: Recall that viruses do contain genetic material, either DNA or RNA, which is essential for storing the information needed to replicate and produce new virus particles.
4. Step 4: Recognize that viruses cannot reproduce independently; they require a host cell to replicate, so option (b) is incorrect.
5. Step 5: Note that viruses lack cellular organelles and do not carry out metabolic processes on their own, which distinguishes them from living cells.