Which of the following are intracellular obligate parasites?

Correct answer: B. Viruses

  • A. Bacteria
  • B. Viruses
  • C. Slime moulds
  • D. Cyanobacteria

Explanation

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites because they lack the cellular structures and metabolic machinery needed to grow and reproduce independently. They cannot carry out essential life processes like energy production or protein synthesis on their own, so they must invade a host cell and hijack its machinery to replicate. In contrast, bacteria, slime moulds, and cyanobacteria are true living organisms with cellular organisation, enzymes, and metabolic pathways that allow them to survive, grow, and reproduce independently in suitable environments. This fundamental dependence on host cells for survival is what makes viruses obligate intracellular parasites, unlike bacteria, slime moulds, and cyanobacteria.

Written and checked by , contributorLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Biodiversity and Variety of Life

Biological classification uses taxonomic ranks, binomial nomenclature and shared characteristics to organize life into kingdoms. The major groups include prokaryotes, protists, fungi, plants and animals, with comparisons based on cell type, cell wall, nutrition, body organization, reproduction and evolutionary relationships; prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus.

Practise Biodiversity and Variety of Life

3,130 free Biodiversity and Variety of Life MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Biology questions like this

Biology is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Biodiversity and Variety of Life questions