Eye-Opening Success: Ace the 2025 COMT Exam and Shine Bright in Ophthalmic Technology!

Question: 1 / 505

Why are viruses considered to be parasitic?

They can live independently

They transform into bacteria

They must reside within host cells

Viruses are considered parasitic because they cannot reproduce on their own and must reside within host cells to replicate. This dependence on a host cell for reproduction and survival defines their parasitic nature. Unlike living organisms that can generate energy and replicate independently, viruses lack the necessary cellular machinery and metabolic processes. When a virus enters a host cell, it hijacks the cell's machinery to produce copies of itself, leading to the potential destruction of the host cell in the process. This parasitic relationship is a fundamental characteristic of all viruses, highlighting their reliance on other living organisms for their life cycle.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

They reproduce without hosts

Next Question

Report this question

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy