Why are viruses not considered living things?

Answer 1

Viruses do not have all of the characteristics of living things. They consist of a protein coat which contains either DNA or RNA. They are not made of cells. They have no cellular structures. They do not require nutrients. They do not have metabolism. They do not grow or develop. They do not reproduce on their own. They must high-jack a living cell, inject it's genetic material, which then takes over the host cell which then becomes a virus factory. Eventually the cell becomes so full of replicated viruses that they burst, releasing the viruses so they can go on to attack other cells.
A virus is not considered a living thing because it can't live on its own and has to rely on another animals cells to reproduce. A living organism technically has to be able to survive and reproduce on their own without help from other organisms. They don't use their own energy to grow, make food, take food, or produce waste.
Viruses are not considered living organisms because they are not composed of cells (the Cellular Theory of Life). Also, viruses cannot replicate independently - they must infect a living cell before their structure and genetic material can be reproduced and multiplied.

However, there is a vigorous ongoing debate about whether or not viruses are living - they do have discrete genetic material that is transmitted from "parent" to "offspring", they can react to the environment by changing what proteins they are expressing and some viruses are extremely complex.
One of the main reasons viruses are considered non living is because they cannot replicate by themselves. In order to replicate they must find a host cell and inject DNA into the host cell which disrupts the host cell's normal processes by causing it to make copies of the virus instead of carrying out all its normal processes. Once the viruses have been created inside the host cell, the host cell bursts to release the viruses. This is the same reason it is considered parasitic, since it uses the host cell for its benefit and damages or kills the host cell in the process.

Answer 2

There are seven characteristics of life (look that up on this website, you'll find them) A virus depends on a host to survive, meaning it can't reproduce without the host. An "organism" that can't reproduce is not an organism and is not alive.

Answer 3

Viruses lack some features that are considered typical of living beings. While they can reproduce, they don't move, they have no metabolism, and their reproduction is carried out by the host cell, not by themselves. When they are not in the process of infecting a cell, they are inert like any crystal.

Answer 4

They are not considered to be living because they do not have metabolism and they do not replicate outside of the host cell.

Answer 5

Viruses have no metabolic processes and are therefore not

considered living.

Answer 6

because they show characteristics of an living organism only when they enter the host body. out side the host body they are present as crystals.....

Answer 7

Viruses aren't living organisms because they have no biological processes and can't reproduce on their own MORE

Answer 8

Viruses are not considered alive because they dont have many of the charaistics that scientists have with living things