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That is a very good question, and is a matter of debate. It does not have the minimum requirements to be "alive", like a cell membrane, nucleus, enzymes and biomolecules.
But on the other hand, it does have genetic material that is coded to replicate itself using a host, i.e. another living cell.
It needs another life form as host, because it alone cannot carry out the tasks of gathering molecules and putting them together in the form of a new virus, but it does have the information necessary to infect and force the host to use its own energy to replicate the very thing that will eventually kill it.
Therefore, virus are considered to be on the very fringes of the term "alive". They do not need nourishment of any kind and can remain active for very long periods of time, almost indefinitely.
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Viruses are not living cells, because
-- they don't use energy to grow or reproduce
-- they cannot reproduce on their own: they need a "host" cell that will turn their genetic material into more viruses
-- they don't eat or produce waste.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoVirus shows both living and non living characteristics.Multiplying,Evolution,Having genetic materials are some living characteristics.No cellular organization,no metabolic activity,can be frozen are non living characteristics.
Added:
Very few biologists consider viruses to be living organisms. The method of reproduction are not self reproduction, a primary characteristic of life. A virus must have a host to reproduce.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoViruses are not living. They do not metabolize to produce energy. They do not grow, produce waste products, or respond to stimuli. They do not reproduce independently, but depend on another living cell.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agowell it isis because a virus can reproduce inside a living thing
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoNo. Viruses do not have a metabolism. They rely on a host to do that.
This is why they are not considered "living" creatures, but bacteria are.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThey are like living things because they can multiply, they are not living things, because they don not use energy to grow, they don't mow, grow, and do not respond to their surroundings
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoViruses are not classified as living. And that's because viruses cannot function unless they find a host cell to infect. Once they find a host cell they can reproduce.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoNo.
P0pR0cK 4
Yes
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What is a parasite bacteria or virus?
Bacteria. A virus is a non-living thing. Bacteria is a living thing.
Why is a virus considered a none living thing?
They have no metabolism, no cellular structure, and can not reproduce without a host cell. They are considered to straddle the line between "life" and "nonlife".
Why is a virus not considered a living organism?
b
Is mitochondria a virus?
Virus are not considered as living or dead.They do not have organells.
Is flu virus a living thing or non-living ting?
no because it needs a cell to live
Why is a virus particle not considered a living thing?
no metabolism
Why arent some virus considered to be a living thing?
because all right
Virus is living or nonliving?
A virus is considered non-living. It does not have all the characteristics of a living thing unlike bacteria. Viruses need living cells to reproduce while any living things can reproduce (asexually or not).
The virus that causes chicken pox contains DNA. It reproduces inside the cells of living organisms. The virus is not made of cells and does not eat or breathe. Why isn’t the virus considered to be a living thing?
it is not made of cells (A+)
What is a parasite bacteria or virus?
Bacteria. A virus is a non-living thing. Bacteria is a living thing.
Is Ebola virus a living or non-living organisim?
Virus cannot considered living. They lack cellular organization
What is an entity that can get you sick invade your body but is not technically a living thing?
A virus is an example of an entity that can cause sickness by invading your body, but it is not considered a living thing because it cannot replicate or carry out metabolic processes on its own.
Why is a virus considered a none living thing?
They have no metabolism, no cellular structure, and can not reproduce without a host cell. They are considered to straddle the line between "life" and "nonlife".
Why is a virus not considered a living organism?
b
Why is chicken pox virus not considered a living thing?
Viruses are considered to be non-living and because they are not alive, they can not reproduce. A better term is to replicate or make a copy of themselves. It is like using a copy machine.
What cell comes in a fundamental living matter and come in two forms?
DNA is the fundamental living matter. A virus, considered to be a living matter consists of core of DNA. When this virus invades a Bacterial cell, it forms the Bacteriophase.DNA is the fundamental living matter. A virus, considered to be a living matter consists of core of DNA. When this virus invades a Bacterial cell, it forms the Bacteriophase.
What is a Living organism within a virus called?
There is no such thing. viruses are so very small that a living thing could not live inside one. But a virus inside a living thing could be called latent if it is not causing a disease or active if it is.
