Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

Viruses can infect

  1. bacteria
  2. fungi
  3. plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 3 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes
  • Viruses can infect almost any kind of host that has living cells. Animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria etc. can get infected by a virus.
  • They’re a small piece of genetic information (DNA or RNA) inside of a protective shell (capsid). Some viruses also have an envelope.
  • Viruses can’t reproduce without a host. It can replicate only inside the living cells of an organism.
  • Viruses infect all types of life forms.
    • A bacteriophage is a virus that infects and replicates within a bacterium. 
    • Mycoviruses are viruses that infect fungi.
    • A host of other Viruses affect plants.