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Very good question. Viruses are not considered alive by many (I might even go as far as to say most scientists wouldn't consider viruses alive, but I'd have to ask more of them first to be sure). Neither is a rock! Those that think viruses are alive are, as you have said, suggesting pretty much anything in the world can be considered alive. If a virus is alive, then by folding a piece of paper into a paper aeroplane I have created life. A paper plane alive? Absurd!

Ridiculous really isn't it?

Viruses aren't alive. They're just molecules that happen to react in a certain way to seem alive to anyone that hasn't studied a biological natural science for several years. But once you understand what happens on atomic and molecular scales, you realise they're not alive at all. No different from a molecule of glucose. It goes is, something is done to it, and it comes out.

The only reason a Virus would be considered alive is because they are structured in such a way as to allow them to be reproduced, and contain proteins with the ability to influence the chemical machinery of cells in other living things.

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Q: Why is a virus considered alive and a rock is not?
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Why is a virus considered alive while a rock is not?

Well a rock isn't really alive, and a virus is actually moving if you get a scope to look at it. it gets into your body to form a disease. We know you cant really see it but try to wash you hands free of germs and viruses! ;)


Neither a rock nor a virus can make food or change food into energy explain why a virus is considered alive while a rock is not?

In addition to not having the ability to replicate itself, a rock is inorganic and composed of solid crystalline minerals.


Is considered a biotic factor?

no a rock is not alive


Which organism is considered an exception to the cell theory?

Skeletal muscles and some fungal hyphae are not divided into cells but have a multinucleate cytoplasm. Some biologists consider unicellular organisms to be acellular


Crystals such as rock candy grow larger as they are forming are these crystals alive?

No, crystals are chemical compounds that are not considered to be alive.


Does a virus need living space?

No. A virus needs only a host body to survive. This is the reason many scientists can't decide whether or not a virus should be considered 'alive.'


Explain why a virus is considered alive while a rock is not?

Mainly because rocks don't reproduce. A lot of scientists don't consider viruses alive, either, for pretty much the same reason: they can't reproduce themselves, they have to co-opt the machinery of a living cell in order to do so.


Which kingdom does virus belong to?

Viruses dont fall under the 6 kingdoms because they are not considered to be alive... :D


Why is a virus not considered to be a unicellular organism?

Virus is not cellular. It does not have cells, nor is it made from one cell.Virus is not an organism. It is not alive and cannot considered an organism.It is mainly because it can not reproduce itself, its multiplication solely depend on the host. So no host=no virus! which also means virus is not an organism, but just an infectious agent or particle.


Which of these objects is are alive A protein molecule A cell A virus?

A cell is alive. A protein is definitely not alive. A virus - well, that depends on who you ask.


Is HIV alive or dead?

It's a virus. It's alive.


Why isnt a virus alive?

A virus does not fulfill all requirements for life, eg. no reproduction through meiosis or mitosis