Most molecular biologists think that viruses originated from fragments of cellular nucleic acid. Which of the following observations supports this theory?
A) Viruses contain either DNA or RNA.
B) Viruses are enclosed in protein capsids rather than plasma membranes.
C) Viruses can reproduce only inside host cells.
D) Viruses can infect both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
E) Viral genomes are usually similar to the genome of the host cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Viral genomes often show similarities to the genomes of their host cells, suggesting that viruses may have originated from fragments of cellular nucleic acid that gained the ability to move between cells.

Most Molecular Biologists Think That Viruses Originated from Fragments of Cellular