UPSC CSE Prelims

Correct Option: A (1 and 2 only) Explanation: Bacteria and fungi can commonly be grown on appropriate artificial nutrient media. Viruses require living host cells and cannot multiply on cell-free synthetic culture medium. Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis: 1. Correct / qualifies - Many bacteria grow on nutrient agar/broth or chemically defined media. 2. Correct / qualifies - Many fungi grow on artificial media such as potato-dextrose agar. 3. Incorrect / does not qualify - Viruses lack autonomous replication and need living host cells. Option-wise Analysis: A. Correct-selects exactly the supported statements/items: 1, 2. B. Incorrect-includes item 3, which is not valid (Viruses lack autonomous replication and need living host cells); omits valid item 1 (Many bacteria grow on nutrient agar/broth or chemically defined media). C. Incorrect-includes item 3, which is not valid (Viruses lack autonomous replication and need living host cells); omits valid item 2 (Many fungi grow on artificial media such as potato-dextrose agar). D. Incorrect-includes item 3, which is not valid (Viruses lack autonomous replication and need living host cells).