Which of the following microorganisms lack their own metabolic pathways and can only reproduce inside of a host cell?
A. Bacteria
B. Protozoa
C. Helminths
D. Viruses
Viruses.
Viruses lack essential machinery needed to reproduce by themselves.
In fact, viruses can only reproduce after infecting a living cell - a process called viral replication.
Once inside a living cell, viruses re-program the cell’s machinery to produce viral proteins and genetic material to make new copies of themselves.
Choice A, Bacteria, is not the correct answer because bacteria have their own metabolic pathways and can reproduce outside of a host cell.
Choice B, Protozoa, is also not the correct answer because protozoa are singlecelled eukaryotes that have their own metabolic pathways and can reproduce outside of a host cell.
Choice C, Helminths, is not the correct answer because helminths are multicellular parasitic worms that have their own metabolic pathways and can reproduce outside of a host cell.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.