Viruses are intermediate between living and non-living entities. They resemble living in :

Options

A. having high specific gravity
B. presence of energy storing system
C. presence of growth and division
D. taking over biosynthetic machinery of host cell

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Viruses**: Viruses are unique entities that possess characteristics of both living and non-living things. They cannot carry out metabolic processes independently and are considered non-cellular organisms.

2. **Genetic Material**: Viruses contain genetic material, which can either be RNA or DNA. This genetic material is essential for their replication and is a characteristic of living organisms.

3. **Protein Coat (Capsid)**: The genetic material of viruses is surrounded by a protein coat known as the capsid. This structure protects the genetic material and aids in the virus's ability to infect host cells.

4. **Inert Outside Host Cells**: Outside of living cells, viruses exist in an inert crystalline structure. This means that they do not exhibit any signs of life, such as metabolism or growth, until they enter a host cell.

5. **Infection and Replication**: Once a virus infects a host cell, it takes over the cell's biosynthetic machinery. This means that the virus utilizes the host's cellular processes to replicate itself, producing new virus particles.

6. **Conclusion**: Viruses are considered intermediate between living and non-living entities because they exhibit characteristics of living organisms (such as having genetic material and the ability to replicate) only when they are inside a host cell. Outside of a host, they behave like non-living entities.