Question

All the following may be components of a virus EXCEPT

• A. RNA
• B. Plant cells
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. a coat of protein

Hint:

Viruses are acellular. They may contain DNA or RNA and a protein coat, but they are not made of plant or animal cells.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:
Viruses are acellular infectious particles. This means they are not made up of cells. A virus generally contains: \[ \text{genetic material} \] and: \[ \text{protein coat} \] Some viruses may also have additional components like lipids or carbohydrates in their envelope.

Step 1: Understand basic virus structure.
The genetic material of a virus may be: \[ DNA \] or: \[ RNA \] The genetic material is surrounded by a protein coat called: \[ \text{capsid} \]

Step 2: Check each option.
RNA can be a component of some viruses, such as RNA viruses. A coat of protein is present in viruses as capsid. Carbohydrates may be present in some viral envelopes as glycoproteins. But plant cells are not components of viruses.

Step 3: Final answer.
Since viruses are not made of cells, plant cells cannot be a component of a virus. Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{(B)\ \text{Plant cells}} \]