Which statement correctly describes a key difference between bacteria and viruses?

• A. Bacteria lack ribosomes and therefore must use host ribosomes to synthesize proteins, whereas viruses have their own ribosomes.
• B. Bacteria replicate only inside host cells, whereas viruses reproduce by binary fission in nutrient media.
• C. Bacteria contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material, whereas viruses always contain both DNA and RNA.
• D. Bacteria are cellular organisms that can reproduce independently, whereas viruses are acellular and require a host cell to replicate.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the basic structural and functional differences between bacteria and viruses. Bacteria are cellular organisms with their own cellular machinery, while viruses are acellular entities that depend on host cells.
2. Step 2: Recall that bacteria have ribosomes, which allow them to synthesize proteins independently, whereas viruses lack ribosomes and must hijack the host's ribosomes for protein synthesis.
3. Step 3: Recognize the modes of reproduction: bacteria reproduce independently through binary fission, while viruses require a host cell to replicate by assembling new viral particles inside the host.
4. Step 4: Consider the genetic material: bacteria typically have DNA as their genetic material, while viruses can have either DNA or RNA, but not both simultaneously.
5. Step 5: Based on these points, identify the statement that correctly contrasts bacteria and viruses by highlighting that bacteria are cellular and can reproduce independently, whereas viruses are acellular and require a host cell for replication.