Which statement describes viruses according to the material?

• A. They are larger than bacteria and can multiply independently.
• B. They are smaller than bacteria, multiply, take over cells, and destroy them.
• C. They are living cells that do not require host cells.
• D. They are non-living particles that cannot replicate.

Answer: (B)

Viruses are tiny particles that cannot reproduce on their own. To multiply, they must invade a living cell and hijack that cell’s machinery to copy their genetic material and build new viruses. As this process unfolds, the infected cell is often damaged or destroyed, releasing new viral particles to spread.

Because of their small size and reliance on host cells, viruses are smaller than bacteria and rely on cells to replicate. They are not living cells themselves, and outside a host they cannot carry out metabolism or reproduction. The statement reflects these ideas: viruses are smaller than bacteria, reproduce by taking over cells, and destroy them in the process.