Which of the following statements about viruses and bacteria is correct?

Question

Which of the following statements about viruses and bacteria is correct?

1. A. Viruses can reproduce independently outside living cells.
2. B. Bacteria can live independently and reproduce by binary fission. (Correct answer)
3. C. Both viruses and bacteria are multicellular organisms.
4. D. Viruses and bacteria are both visible under a light microscope.

Correct Answer

Option B — Bacteria can live independently and reproduce by binary fission.

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Bacteria can live independently and reproduce by binary fission..

Key Points

• Bacteria are unicellular living organisms that can reproduce independently by binary fission (B ✓).
• Viruses are not independently living — they cannot reproduce without a host cell (A ✗).
• Neither viruses nor bacteria are multicellular (C ✗).
• Most viruses are visible only under an electron microscope, not a standard light microscope (D ✗).