0
Most biologists today consider viruses to be nonliving because viruses do not have all the characteristics essential for life. Viruses are not cells and do not use their own energy to grow or to respond to their surroundings. Viruses also cannot make food, take in food, or produce wastes. The only way in which viruses are like organisms is that they are able to multiply.
CREDITS FROM: North Carolina 8TH GRADE PRENTICE HALL SCIENCE EXPLORER
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoViruses are not living because they do not exchange any gasses, they do not require any life-sustaining nutrients, and they do not reproduce on their own. A virus is a small particle that contains a small portion of DNA. It must attach to a living cell and transfer its DNA in order to reproduce. The cell then takes on similar characteristics of the virus.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are viruses nonliving?
Active (non-killed) viruses are living organisms.
Most biologists agree that the difference between living and nonliving matter can be explained by looking at what?
Most biologists agree that the difference between living and nonliving matter can be explained by looking at?
Why are viruses consider to be nonliving?
They cannot live outside of a host.
How does a biologist determine whether a thing is living or nonliving?
Biologists determine whether a thing is living or nonliving by a list of characteristics. These characteristics include the ability to reproduce, the ability to eat, the ability to grow and the ability to excrete waste.
Why do many biologists consider the microscope as one their most valuable tools?
Because, they use them for examining for helpful things
Do biologists consider viruses living or nonliving?
Biologists consider dormant virions to be non-living because they must obtain a host to function and replicate themselves. However, active viruses are considered to be living, by most scientists.
What type of cell are viruses?
None. Viruses are acellular. Many biologists do not consider viruses to be living things in part because they are acellular. Look at any phylogeny (tree of life). Viruses are not on them.
Are viruses a eukaryote?
No, viruses are nonliving.
Where are viruses on the tree of life?
Many, if not most biologists do not consider viruses living. So, they are not on any phylogenetic tree that I know of. They may have a phylogeny that I am unaware of, though.
How are viruses different to living organism?
They are Different because Viruses are nonliving.
Are viruses nonliving?
Active (non-killed) viruses are living organisms.
Most biologists agree that the difference between living and nonliving matter can be explained by looking at what?
Most biologists agree that the difference between living and nonliving matter can be explained by looking at?
Do viruses have any known predators?
Since viruses are nonliving, they have no known predators.
Do nonliving organisms contain DNA?
If by non-living you mean an object such as a sheet of metal then no they are not composed of cells. If you are referring to something dead, then yes the DNA is still intact at least for a while anyway they do deteriorate in time.
What r viruses?
If you mean what are viruses then they are nonliving strands Rna surrounded by a protein coat
ARE Viruses are a type of cell?
The type of cells that viruses live in are host cells. Viruses need host cells in order to reproduce or multiply.
Are viruses autotrophic heterotrophic or chemosynthesizers?
None. They are nonliving organisms.
