Two components that are most likely found in both viruses and prokaryotic cells are nucleic acids (genetic material) and proteins (often in the form of a protective coat or capsid).
- Nucleic acids: Both contain genetic material—DNA or RNA—that stores the information necessary for replication and function.
- Proteins: Both rely on proteins for structure and function, including capsid proteins in viruses and various proteins in prokaryotes such as enzymes and structural components.
Notes:
- In viruses, the genetic material is enclosed in a protein shell called a capsid, and sometimes surrounded by an envelope; the genome can be either DNA or RNA.
- Prokaryotic cells have DNA organized in a nucleoid region and utilize ribosomes and various proteins to perform cellular processes; their basic composition includes nucleic acids and proteins as foundational components.
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