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viruses are considered parasites (obligate parasites) because they cannot exist on their own. they need the host cell's machinery to reproduce so they cannot "survive" (technically not living) outside the cell.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThis is from wikipedia:
In medicine, only eukaryotic organisms are considered parasites, with the exclusion of bacteria and viruses. Some branches of Biology, however, regard members of these groups (bacteria,viruses) as parasitic.
So some people regard viruses as parasites some don't.
They are probably considered parasites because a parasite benefits at the expense of the host.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoViruses do not have parasites....viruses are not living while parasites feed on living hosts. A virus behaves like a parasite as viruses need a living host to reproduce, but viruses can not have parasites
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoA virus is considered a parasite because it attaches to a cell and kills it.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoViruses, as well as parasites, destroy the cells they enter.
They feed off their hosts and do damage to them.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoviruses are like parasites, organisms that live on or in a host and cause it harm.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoviruses cannot survive/reproduce without a host. therefore, they are "obligated" to leech on another organism.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothey aren't
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10 why are viruses called obligate intracellular parasites?
They are called obligate intracellular parasites because they must use a host cell's amino acids to synthesize proteins, metabolic enzymes and pathways to obtain energy, ribosomes to synthesize proteins, and nucleotides for transcription and replication. In other words, they need to use just about everything from a host cell in order to survive.
How does the skin protect you and what does it protect you against?
Skin protects the inside of the body from bacteria. If it weren't for skin, we would get infections way too easily and certainly would not be able to survive. Not only just bacteria, but from viruses, parasites, and fungi too. A substance called melanin protects your skin from burns.
Are bacteria larger than viruses?
no bacteria is larger than viruses
Infer how some viruses might can be helpful?
viruses can be helpful because, some viruses can be used for cures. for example, USA. researcher suggest that adeno-associated viruses type 2 can Promises to be a breakthrough in cancer therapy
What is the name of person who studies viruses?
a virologist studies viruses
Can parasites cause viruses?
Parasites can carry and transmit viruses, but they do not "cause" them.
What is true viruses?
Viruses are cellular parasites.
Are viruses or bacteria more like parasites?
Viruses
Are viruses like parasites?
No; viruses are sub-Cellular 'virons', while parasites are frequently multi-cellular organisms.
Why do viruses not cause decay?
Because they are obligate parasites
What are four difference?
bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
How are viruses simliar to parasites?
They both destroy the cells that they attack.
What are four different microorganisms?
bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
What term describes invading bacteria viruses and parasites?
Immunity
Why viruses are refered to as obligate parasites?
Because viruses can not reproduce or produce protein without a host cell
Can parasites and virus grow in food?
no. . . Because parasites and viruses can only grow on living matters... There may be saprophytes and bacteria growing in your food. . . Even parasites and viruses can be there but can not grow. .
True or false bacteriophages are viruses that parasitize bacteria?
I wouldn't call bacteriophages parasites, but yes they are viruses which infect bacteria.
