How are protists and viruses different?
1 Answer
Refer to the explanation.
Explanation:
Protists are composed of cells, and are therefore living things.
Viruses are not composed of cells, and are therefore non-living.
Protists are capable of reproducing on their own.
Viruses are incapable of reproducing on their own. They invade living cells and take over their genetic material, causing the cells to produce viral parts and then assemble them.
Protist cells have a semi-permiable cell membrane, and often cell walls of varying substances, such as cellulose and silica. All protist cells contain membrane-bound organelles, such as a nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
Viruses are composed of an outer protein shell called a capsid, which encases genetic material (DNA or RNA). They do not have cell membranes or organelles.
