Which of the following best describes a microbe that lacks the basic cellular structure required for reproduction?

• A. It is capable of binary fission.
• B. It can perform mitosis.
• C. It is considered non-living, such as a virus.
• D. It is classified as a prokaryote.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic cellular structures required for reproduction, such as a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material organized in a way that allows cell division.
2. Recall that microbes capable of binary fission or mitosis must have cellular structures that support these processes, meaning they are living cells (prokaryotes or eukaryotes).
3. Recognize that viruses lack these basic cellular structures; they do not have a cell membrane or cytoplasm and cannot reproduce independently through cell division.
4. Identify that because viruses cannot reproduce on their own and lack cellular structure, they are considered non-living entities.
5. Conclude that the statement 'It is considered non-living, such as a virus' best describes a microbe lacking the basic cellular structure required for reproduction.