Essential biopolymers shared by viruses and prokaryotes

Steps:

• Viruses contain nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) as genetic material and proteins in their capsid.
• Prokaryotes contain nucleic acids for genetic information, proteins for structure and function, plus other polymers like lipids and polysaccharides.
• Common polymers in all viruses and all prokaryotes are nucleic acids and proteins.
• Assuming 1=nucleic acids and 2=proteins, the answer excludes 3 (e.g., polysaccharides or lipids, absent in many viruses).

Why B is correct:

• By definition, all viruses have a nucleic acid genome and protein coat; all prokaryotes require both for replication and cellular function.

Why the others are wrong:

• A includes 3, but not all viruses have polysaccharides or lipids.
• C excludes 2, but proteins form the viral capsid and prokaryotic machinery.
• D excludes 1, but nucleic acids are the core genetic polymer in both.

Final answer: B