Why can't a virus reproduce on its own?

• A. Viruses are too small to contain any genetic material.
• B. Viruses are destroyed immediately upon entering a host cell.
• C. Viruses lack the cellular machinery necessary for independent replication.
• D. Viruses only reproduce in the presence of prions.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic structure of viruses: Viruses consist of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat called a capsid, and sometimes an outer lipid envelope.
2. Recognize that viruses do contain genetic material, so the statement 'Viruses are too small to contain any genetic material' is incorrect.
3. Know that viruses are not destroyed immediately upon entering a host cell; instead, they use the host cell's machinery to replicate.
4. Identify that viruses lack the cellular machinery (such as ribosomes, enzymes for metabolism, and energy production systems) necessary for independent replication.
5. Conclude that viruses must infect a host cell and hijack its cellular machinery to reproduce, which is why they cannot reproduce on their own.