Which of these describes a difference between viruses and cells? Your A. Cells contain protein, and viruses contain only carbohydrates. B. Cells reproduce independently, and viruses require a host to reproduce. C. Viruses have flagella, and cells have only cilia.

The difference between viruses and cells is that viruses cannot reproduce without entering a host cell while normal cells can reproduce independently. The correct option would, thus, be B.

Viruses are sometimes referred to as non-living because they are made of molecules that are capable of doing nothing without using the machinery of a host cell.

Outside a host, viruses tick all the characteristics of non-living things. But when they enter into a host cell, they can use the genetic mechanism of the host to reproduce, thereby fulfilling the characteristics of living things.

This is unlike normal cells. They have the ability to grow in size and reproduce without the assistance of any other cell.

More on viruses and cells can be found here: