They do not have hereditary material. They are not separated from their environments. They lack an independent metabolism. Their traits do not evolve in response to selection pressures.
I gave my students this multiple choice question: What characteristic of viruses distinguishes them from cells?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- They do not have hereditary material.
- They are not separated from their environments.
- They lack an independent metabolism.
- Their traits do not evolve in response to selection pressures.

Could you tell me which one is correct?

They lack an independent metabolism.