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A virus is an inert chemical, with no metabolic activity, when it is not inside a cell. It cannot function on its own. Whereas with a living cell you always have a metabolism, even if the cell is part of a parasitic organism.

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Beulah Skiles

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3y ago

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How are viruses like non living things?

Viruses are not alive. They are infectious particles. They hijack a living cell's DNA and force it to make viruses parts instead of living cell parts. The cell is made to assemble to parts and the new viruses bust out of the cell, killing it, and infect more cells.


How do viruses and bacteria differ?

The 5 Kingdoms in biology provide categories for all living things. They are:PlantsAnimalsBacteriaFungiProkaryotesViruses have to have a host cell (or an 'invaded' cell) to survive, so scientists don't class them as a living organism.Viruses are different from all bacteria.


When are viruses active?

When it is inside a living cell.


Are viruses a living cell?

No, they are not alive at all.


Do Viruses multiply through binary fission?

No, they do not. They are hijackers. Once they get attached to the cell of a living cell, they can take it over and "make" the living cell produce virus particles instead of cell parts. These particles can assemble into more viruses and then they break out of the cell (killing it) and begin the process again.No, only living cells divide by binary fission. Viruses are not alive.


Can viruses copy themselves without a living host cell?

No, viruses cannot copy themselves without a living host cell. They rely on the machinery and resources of a host cell to replicate and reproduce. Without a host cell, viruses cannot carry out their life cycle.


WHY do viruses reproduce in the living cell?

to divide themselves


Are Viruses able to reproduce without using other organisms?

viruses are dormant when they are not inside a living cell. that means they don't have living characteristics when outside a living cell. they only reproduce when they are inside a living cell.


How are viruses harmful to living cells?

Viruses can reproduce very quickly. When reproducing they enter a living cell and they inject their genetic material.


List two ways viruses differ from living things?

1) Viruses do not grow, they are a certain size from the moment they are made. Just a protein coat and a set of genetic instructions. 2) Viruses do not respire they don't turn over energy at all, they hijack living cells which can turn over energy and use them to do their reproduction. 3) Viruses do not excreat waste products- they don't make any so they don't need to. Most living things make some toxic substances which must be got rid off eg carbon dioxide and urea. 4) Viruses cannot reproduce, make more of their own kind without hijacking the apparatus of a living cell.


In what way is a virus like an organism?

There are many ways that viruses are NOT like living organisms. Viruses differ from living organisms in the following ways: • Viruses cannot reproduce without the help of a host cell • Viruses do not metabolize organic nutrients, but instead use ATP made by the host cell. • Viruses are not separated from their external environment by some sort of barrier like a cell wall or membrane. • Viruses contain either DNA or RNA but never both. A virus can also be like organisms in that they still consist of macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids just like organisms do.


How do viruses and cellular organisms differ?

Viruses are acellular particles that require a host cell to replicate, while cellular organisms are standalone living entities. Viruses lack organelles and cannot carry out metabolic processes independently. Cellular organisms, on the other hand, have a defined cell structure with organelles and can carry out all life processes independently.