Question

which statement best explains why bacteria are considered living organisms?
○ they can cause disease.
○ they are made of cells.
○ they move around.
○ they are made up of biological macromolecules.
○ they contain organelles.

Explanation:

• Option 1: Causing disease is not a defining characteristic of living organisms (e.g., some non - living agents like toxins can cause disease).
• Option 2: The cell theory states that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells. Bacteria are single - celled organisms, so being made of cells is a key reason they are considered living.
• Option 3: Movement is not a universal characteristic of living organisms (e.g., plants are living but do not move around in the same way as animals, and some non - living things like dust particles can move).
• Option 4: Non - living things can also be made up of biological macromolecules (e.g., viruses have biological macromolecules but are not considered fully living in the same way as cells).
• Option 5: Bacteria are prokaryotes and do not contain membrane - bound organelles, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

B. They are made of cells.