A virus is composed of:

Correct answer: C. Nucleic acid and protein coat

  • A. Only proteins
  • B. Only nucleic acids
  • C. Nucleic acid and protein coat
  • D. Nucleic acid, protein coat, lipid envelope

Explanation

A virus is not made of proteins alone (a) or nucleic acids alone (b). Its basic structure always includes nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat, the capsid (c). However, some viruses also possess an outer lipid envelope derived from the host cell membrane, making the most complete answer (d): viruses are composed of nucleic acid, a protein coat, and sometimes a lipid envelope.

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