The statement that bacteria contain nucleic acids while viruses do not is:

The statement that bacteria contain nucleic acids while viruses do not is:

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Partially true
• D. Cannot be determined

Answer: (B)

Nucleic acids are the carriers of genetic information, and both bacteria and viruses contain them. Bacteria, as cells, have DNA as their genome (and often plasmids). Viruses also carry nucleic acids—either DNA or RNA—that encode their genes and direct replication inside a host cell. They lack many cellular components, but having genetic material is essential to what a virus is. Because of this, the statement that viruses do not have nucleic acids is incorrect. The idea that it’s true, partially true, or undetermined doesn’t fit the established fact that all viruses contain some form of nucleic acid.

Nucleic acids are the carriers of genetic information, and both bacteria and viruses contain them. Bacteria, as cells, have DNA as their genome (and often plasmids). Viruses also carry nucleic acids—either DNA or RNA—that encode their genes and direct replication inside a host cell. They lack many cellular components, but having genetic material is essential to what a virus is. Because of this, the statement that viruses do not have nucleic acids is incorrect. The idea that it’s true, partially true, or undetermined doesn’t fit the established fact that all viruses contain some form of nucleic acid.