Which term describes pieces of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat; non-living - survive in hosts?

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Multiple Choice

Which term describes pieces of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat; non-living - survive in hosts?

Explanation:
Viruses are the infectious particles described here: their genetic material (DNA or RNA) is enclosed in a protein coat called a capsid. They are considered non-living because they lack cellular structure and cannot carry out metabolism or reproduce on their own. To replicate, they must infect a host cell and hijack that cell’s machinery. The other options refer to living beings or a clinical term, which don’t fit this description. Bacteria and mammalian cells are living cells with their own metabolism, and a Phase 1 Clinical Trial is a testing stage, not a biological entity.

Viruses are the infectious particles described here: their genetic material (DNA or RNA) is enclosed in a protein coat called a capsid. They are considered non-living because they lack cellular structure and cannot carry out metabolism or reproduce on their own. To replicate, they must infect a host cell and hijack that cell’s machinery. The other options refer to living beings or a clinical term, which don’t fit this description. Bacteria and mammalian cells are living cells with their own metabolism, and a Phase 1 Clinical Trial is a testing stage, not a biological entity.

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