Question

1. what is a virus? how is it different from a eukaryotic cell or a prokaryotic cell (bacteria)?

Explanation:

A virus is a non - cellular infectious agent. It has a protein coat (capsid) and genetic material (DNA/RNA). Unlike eukaryotic (has nucleus, membrane - bound organelles) and prokaryotic (no nucleus, simple structure) cells, viruses can't reproduce or metabolize on their own—they need a host cell. Eukaryotic cells (e.g., animal, plant cells) have a nucleus and complex organelles. Prokaryotic cells (bacteria) are unicellular, lack a nucleus, but can perform life processes independently.

Answer:

A virus is a non - cellular infectious agent consisting of a protein coat (capsid) and genetic material (DNA or RNA). It differs from eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells as follows: 1. Structure: Viruses lack cellular structures (no cytoplasm, organelles, etc.), while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane - bound organelles, and prokaryotic cells (bacteria) have a cell membrane, cell wall, and cytoplasm but no nucleus. 2. Reproduction: Viruses can only replicate inside a host cell, using the host's machinery. Eukaryotic cells reproduce by mitosis/meiosis, and prokaryotic cells by binary fission, both independently. 3. Metabolism: Viruses have no metabolic processes of their own; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells can perform metabolic functions (e.g., respiration, protein synthesis) independently.